Page 132 of Pride High 3: Yellow

Dr. Sharma glanced up at him. “Do you know how to play?”

“Kind of. I know where the pieces go and how they move.”

“Good. You can help me.”

She had chosen white, so he began arranging the black pieces on his side.

“Would you like to tell me what happened at school?” Dr. Sharma asked.

He didn’t need her to be more specific than that. “I got caught making out with Diego before PE. We were alone in the locker room when another kid tattled on us. And it was embarrassing because boners were involved.”

Dr. Sharma’s smile was subtle as she continued arranging pieces. “Strange how the most natural and involuntary bodily functions are the most socially taboo. Could you imagine a culture where people were allowed to fart indiscriminately?”

Ricky laughed. “I’m not sure I want to.”

“I do sometimes,” Dr. Sharma said, only increasing his mirth. “You’ve heard of imagining an audience naked when you’re nervous? There are quite a few people I’d never want to see undressed, so I prefer to imagine the audience overcome by flatulence. That usually puts a smile on my face, which is great for presentations. People must think I’ve discovered the secret to happiness.” Her eyes sparkled at him before she nodded in approval at the pieces on his side of the board. “Good. Enough about imaginary farts. I’d planned on teaching you a different technique today.”

He would remember it anyway, since Ricky no longer felt embarrassed about his confession. He watched Dr. Sharma move a pawn two squares ahead. He did the same and moved a pawn to block hers.

“If you don’t mind me asking,” she began, moving another pawn forward, “how often do you and Diego engage romantically during school?”

“We only have second and third period together. Although I don’t think we will anymore, once he’s no longer suspended. Which sucks, because Graham Fowler and his stupid friends think I’m vulnerable without him and keep picking on me. It’s all right though,” he added hurriedly when seeing her concern. “So far they just keep saying mean things, and it’s not like I value their opinions.”

“That’s a very healthy attitude,” Dr. Sharma said with a nod. “Was it Graham who told on you?”

“Yeah.” Tired of messing with pawns, he moved a knight into the playing field.

“Which implies that he knew you would be in a compromising situation.”

“Oh. Maybe he saw us before.”

“So it wasn’t the first time that things became heated in the locker room?”

“No,” Ricky said with a mad chuckle. “Definitely not. But you should see the gym uniforms they make us wear. And how Diego barely manages to squeeze into his. Darn it!”

Dr. Sharma used a bishop to capture his knight. “And if you hadn’t been interrupted?”

“We never go too far. Just some kissing.” Ricky moved his own bishop out into the center. “And um… some groping.”

“Why stop there?”

When he looked up in surprise, Dr. Sharma was wearing a frank expression while patiently awaiting an answer.

“We don’t want to get in trouble.”

“And yet you did.” Dr. Sharma used her queen to capture his bishop.

“Aww!” he complained. “You’re taking all the fun pieces.” He moved a pawn forward to menace the queen, but she took that too.

“I suppose what I’m asking,” she said, not showing any remorse, “is why you felt it was okay to get in trouble for necking and petting.”

“Necking and petting?” he repeated with an incredulous snort.

“Correct,” Dr Sharma said with a twinkle in her eye. “That’s what we called it in my day. You understand my point, I hope.”

Ricky thought about it. “You want to know why we stopped at going all the way but not the other stuff? I guess we felt like we wouldn’t really get in trouble if our clothes were still on.”

“What did you think would happen?”