Page 124 of Pride High 3: Yellow

Ricky became increasingly eager to explain himself to the principal, but the chance never came. Coach Henshaw reappeared and barely acknowledged them before he left the office. Then they waited. Half an hour at least. Ricky was watching the minute hand of the clock, certain they would be sent to their next period once the bell rang. The principal wouldn’t want them to miss class, he figured.

Five minutes before that happened, his mother breezed into the office. She looked him over with concern that shifted to displeasure when she eyed Diego. Then she turned to the secretary and introduced herself in formal tones.

“Principal Preckwinkle,” the secretary said when picking up her phone. “Dr. Nishikawa is here to see you.”

“What happened?” his mother asked during this.

“Nothing!” Ricky told her. “We were only—”

“Right this way,” the secretary said before leading his mother down the hall.

“Let’s make a break for it,” Diego said when they were alone.

Ricky sighed. “This isn’t funny.”

“I’m not kidding.”

He shook his head and tried to think. How could he get through this while still being allowed to see Diego? Nothing else mattered to him.

“Do you think your mom will be here soon?” Ricky asked.

Diego snorted. “She won’t show up. She never does.”

Ricky wanted to take his hand to comfort him, but considering the circumstances... Actually, he didn’t care anymore. The secret was out. He put his hand over Diego’s, but his boyfriend didn’t react, so Ricky wrapped himself around his arm instead. He heard Diego breathe out and could feel him relax. Although he tensed again when the secretary’s phone buzzed and she picked it up.

“Principal Preckwinkle would like to see you both,” she announced, her eyes a little wide at what she saw.

“Let’s get this over with,” Diego said as he stood.

Ricky followed along behind him since he seemed to know the way. They walked into a smaller office. Principal Preckwinkle didnotlook pleased. His mother’s expression was difficult to read as she turned her chair sidewise, so she could see them better. Only one chair remained empty in front of the principal’s desk, where Mrs. Gomez should be sitting. They were expected to stand, it would seem.

Principal Preckwinkle inhaled through her nose. “Dr. Nishikawa feels that you might appreciate the chance to explain yourselves,” she said.

“What happened?” his mother asked.

Ricky swallowed. “We were just talking. And then we kissed. That’s all.”

Ami’s head pivoted toward the principal. “Do you normally call parents when two students kiss? That must be a fairly common occurrence.”

Ricky felt a burst of hope. His mom was on his side!

“Coach Henshaw feels he saw more than that,” Principal Preckwinkle explained.

Ami turned to him again with a quizzical expression. As frustrated as he’d been with her lately, she was still the woman who had always promised that he could be open with her. About everything.

“I got aroused,” Ricky said. “But we didn’t do anything sexual.”

Principal Preckwinkle leaned back in her chair. “There you have it.”

“Have what?” Ami responded. “As a gynecologist, most of my studies revolve around reproductive health. I’d be worried if theydidn’thave such a response, especially at their age. Surely you don’t punish students for involuntary physical reactions.”

“Considering their state of partial undress—” Preckwinkle tried.

“They were in school-issued uniforms,” Ami said, looking to him for confirmation.

He nodded.

“Yes, but think how disruptive their behavior was to other students.”