Page 65 of Pride High 3: Yellow

“Yes,” she replied, her feet in step with the beat. “He said you used to impress girls by dancing for them.”

“Most guys my age get a job bagging groceries,” Diego said with a smirk, “I was a male stripper. So have I still got it? Are you impressed?”

Mindy giggled gleefully. “I really am!” Her motions were smoother now, her arms swinging freely as she beamed at him. “Although I’d be even more impressed if you did a twirl.”

“Because that’s what tough street gangs do, huh?” he said before spinning around. When this made her laugh he let a wave of motion move down his entire body and back up again. “Does that impress you too?”

Mindy was giving it her all now. “Yeah! What else have you got?”

He backed away and dropped to the floor, as if to do a pushup, and began flopping like a fish out of water. He did this a few times before hopping up on his feet again.

“That’s called the worm,” he said with a toothy grin. Years ago, he and Omar had tried getting into breakdancing, although the interest hadn’t stuck. Which was a shame, because Mindy was biting her bottom lip and watching him with shining eyes. While shaking her cute little butt! He was reaching for her hand, wanting to truly dance together, when the music stopped.

“That was so cool!” Whitney said, rushing on stage. “I wanna boogie with you guys! Can we?”

“Just a moment, please,” Ms. Deville said, her attention settling on him. “I don’t suppose you can sing?”

Diego crossed his arms over his chest. “Hell no!”

“That’s okay,” Ms. Deville replied. “Neither could Richard Beymer.”

Heads were put together as excited whispering began. Mindy took a few steps forward, as if eager to join in the conversation, but she stopped and turned to him.

“Thank you,” she said with a demure smile, her cheeks rosy from exertion.

“No problem,” he murmured.

Whitney barreled into him right after. “You were amazing! They better give you the lead. Can you imagine how much fun we’ll have?”

She grabbed his hands and began swinging his arms around while singing some hokey song. Diego barely looked at her. Instead he watched Mindy until she disappeared into the gloom of the auditorium seats.

— — —

Cameron typed a special code, causing the bulletin board system he was on to reveal the date and hour. He didn’t need to be reminded that it was Saturday, but he wanted to make sure it wasn’t time to meet Anthony yet. Thirty minutes remained, so he returned his attention to the private chat room he was in with Ricky, who went by Skylar99 while online.

SKYLAR99: You’ve got to watchThe Real World! I’ve been addicted to the reruns while I’m in prison and it’s so good!

CAMERONX: Why would anyone want to watch a show about real life? Just turn off the TV and go outside.

SKYLAR99: Some of us can’t.

CAMERONX: Oh right. So you think the show is designed for shut-ins and people who are grounded for getting their mom high?

SKYLAR99: Maybe! It’s more interesting than real life, because it’s a bunch of hot strangers living together. And get this, one of the guys is bisexual.

CAMERONX: Wow! For real?

He couldn’t remember seeing anyone but straight people on TV. Aside from some musicians he never would have known about had Anthony not told him recently. Cameron was used to gay people being swept under the carpet, like a dirty little secret.

SKYLAR99: Yeah! His name is Norman. They even show him on a date with another guy!

CAMERONX: I need to see this.

SKYLAR99: Being grounded has its perks. I guess.

Cameron pulled his attention away from the screen. He could hear his mother talking to someone downstairs.

CAMERONX: Be right back. I think someone is here.