Page 36 of Pride High 3: Yellow

“Sounds exciting to me,” Keisha said in all honesty. “I envy what you have together.”

Cameron looked her over in surprise. “You’re smoking hot. If you want to find someone, I can’t imagine it being an issue.”

“Oh, it isn’t that,” she replied with a wry smile. “I’ve dated before, but you and Anthony seem to have a real connection. Sometimes I forget that you weren’t born a couple. Or is that how it really happened? Were you babies in the hospital the first time you held each other’s tiny little hands?”

Cameron laughed. “I wish. But we’re making up for lost time.”

“I’m sure you are.” They pushed through the main doors and went out into the chilly evening air. “Do you need a ride?”

“If you don’t mind dropping me off on main street,” Cameron replied.

“Not at all.”

“Thanks! That would be great!”

They talked about the upcoming play as she led him to the Bronco, although they switched to a much more serious topic once they were on the road.

“I heard what happened to Anthony’s locker,” she said, shooting him a sympathetic expression.

Cameron exhaled. “Yeah. That wasn’t good. I worry about him.”

“I’m worried about you both,” Keisha replied. “People know that you’re a couple. There’s a lot of chatter about it.”

“Then why do they always pick on him instead of me?” Cameron asked in frustration.

“Because of how he looks,” she replied instantly. “I get a lot of that myself.” Enough that Keisha wasn’t sure if she wanted to add homophobia to the racism she already endured. Not while she was still in high school.

Cameron frowned. “Why can’t people be nice?”

“Because they’re scared. It’s so much easier to judge others than to turn that magnifying glass on yourself, or to find the bravery it takes to be who you really are.”

“You’re an old soul,” Cameron said after reassessing her.

“And you’ve got friends,” Keisha assured him, “so if it does get bad, let me know. I’ll rally the troops.”

“Thank you.”

“My pleasure.” She might still be in the closet to most people outside her family, but she wasn’t scared to face down some bigots. “So where is this man of yours currently?”

Cameron checked his watch. “He said he’d be at the record store until six, so he’s probably at Archie’s by now.”

“I love their pizza,” Keisha said. “Maybe I’ll join you.”

“You’re welcome to!”

She smiled at this. “You’re sweet, but I have a feeling that Anthony would prefer some alone time with you.”

“What are you up to tonight?” Cameron asked, just as they were passing by Right Round Records.

“I have some shopping to do.” Keisha couldn’t resist any longer. She had to satisfy her curiosity.

After dropping off Cameron, she backtracked and parked in front of the record store. Keisha didn’t look at the window as she got out, figuring that Silvia might be watching her already. Nor did she waste any time when entering the store, hoping to catch her off guard. And judging from the deer-in-headlights expression, that’s exactly what happened.

“Keisha!” Silvia said, going rigid before she managed a smile that wasn’t returned.

“I got your message,” Keisha said when approaching.

“And I got yours.” Silvia placed a tattered heart-shaped box on the counter.