Page 158 of Pride High 3: Yellow

“Am I going to get in trouble for this?” he asked while powering on the camera.

“No, but we’ve gotta be quick.” Diego walked into Graham’s yard and turned around. “One take and then we get the hell out of here. Make sure the house is in the shot. Got it, Jafari?”

“Loud and clear,” Omar said, peering through the viewfinder. “Action!”

Diego scowled, but not at him, as it turned out. “You see this?” he said, jerking a thumb over his shoulder. “That’s what happens to people who mess with me and my friends. He’s lucky I didn’t burn the whole house down! Hey Graham, the next time you feel like picking on someone, try me instead. I’m waiting, buddy! Or are you gonna send one of your lackeys to do your dirty work, like last time? We both know the answer to that, you cowardly little prick!”

“I did it too!” Ricky said, bounding into the frame. “That’s what you get for being a big bully!”

“Get out of here,” Diego said, shoving him away before glaring at the camera. “Make sure Ricky isn’t in the video. Edit him out. We’re done here.”

Omar lowered the camcorder enough to see with his own eyes. “Is this a joke?” he asked. “Did you really do it?”

“Didn’t you hear what I just said?” Diego walked toward him with his hand extended to block the lens. “Now turn that thing off and get in the damn car!”

Omar stopped recording. He looked at the house once more before diving back into the Trans Am. He wanted no part of this!

His captors, as he was starting to think of them, were quiet as they drove him back to Main Street. But he couldn’t hold his tongue. Too much was on the line.

“You know about Anthony’s dad, right?” he asked.

“Yeah,” Diego replied. “So here’s what you’re going to do.” He pulled over and turned around in the seat. “Hold on to that footage until the weekend. Don’t show anyone. Not even Anthony. Take it to the cops and let them see.”

Omar shook his head in disbelief. “Why?”

“It’ll get Mr. Cullen off the hook,” Ricky said.

“Okay, but why not tell the cops yourself?”

“I’m skipping town,” Diego said.

Omar narrowed his eyes. “Like forever?”

“Nah. Just until the heat dies down. Which won’t take very long. The police aren’t going to waste resources chasing down a minor who lit some toilet paper on fire.”

“Yeah, but when Graham sees you at school...”

“I’ll take my chances,” Diego said, facing the front again. “Don’t tell the police I said any of this. Just play dumb. You’re good at that.”

“Thanks,” Omar grumbled.

He saw Ricky nudge Diego meaningfully.

“Because of the pranks we used to pull,” Diego said, his eyes seeking him out in the rearview mirror. “I know you can handle this.”

“Yeah,” Omar said. “I won’t let you down.”

Diego stared a second longer before he got out of the car and tilted his seat forward.

Omar climbed out. “So are we good?” he asked.

“What do you mean?” Diego asked.

“Me and you. Are we buds again?” He folded his arm and stuck out his elbow. “Like the old days?”

Diego rolled his eyes. Then, after a heavy sigh, he did the same thing with his arm and bumped elbows with him. “No promises,” he said. “Just do what I asked you to, all right?”

“No problem.” Omar grinned. “See ya!”