Page 7 of Pride High 3: Yellow

“That home is about to bewrecked,” Keisha said, nodding toward two couples strolling together. The girl from one pair was talking enthusiastically to the guy from the other while their respective partners appeared bored.

“They’re probably only friends,” Mindy said. “I could barely think of anything to say to Troy on our date. I’ve noticed lots of couples today who weren’t talking to each other. Maybe that’s just how it is. Friends are for good conversation. Lovers are for the rest.”

“My parents talk a lot,” Keisha said. “Mostly about me and my siblings. Or they talkatus, when we aren’t doing what they want. But I’ve overheard some of their private conversations. It’s never very juicy, but they sure seem to enjoy each other’s company.”

Mindy sighed. “I would love a guy who wanted to talk all day. Wouldn’t you?”

Keisha seemed to hesitate before answering. “If it was the right person, then yes.”

Mindy thwapped her friend’s knee in excitement. “Pretend we’re out of time and we have to find someoneright now.” She glanced around at the available options, already searching. “We’ve only got five minutes until the world ends, and whoever you choose, you have to spend the rest of eternity with.”

“Hmm…” Keisha said, her head slowly panning left and right. “This is hard.”

“That one!” Mindy said, pointing at a guy with creamy brown skin and broad shoulders.

“He looks like he’s in college,” Keisha said, sounding surprised.

“I’m not going to spend the rest of eternity with someone who hasn’t graduated high school,” Mindy chastised. “I need a guy with deep thoughts. Did you notice that he’s carrying a bag from Waldenbooks? I bet he’s got a great big brain. Among other things,” she added with a titter.

Keisha chuckled. “Maybe you should find out what he’s got in that bag first, in case he bought a bunch ofSports Illustratedmagazines.”

“Ew!” Mindy said, crinkling her nose. “Even so, at least he’s easy on the eyes. What about you?”

“I haven’t had any complaints,” Keisha drawled.

“I mean who would you choose?” Mindy said with a giggle. “Hurry! The clock is ticking!”

Keisha kept glancing around without reaching a decision, which was odd, because they were spoiled for choice. The mall was filled with people of all varieties. And yet, she never seemed to settle on anyone for long. “Ten,” Mindy said, deciding to motivate her with a countdown. “Nine. Eight.”

“Do they have to be available?”

“Nope!”

“Good.” Keisha pointed to a couple who were browsing a perfume kiosk.

Mindy blinked. They were both in their twenties. The man wasn’t traditionally handsome. He had a potbelly and acne scars on his cheeks, but he definitely had something going for him, judging from how pretty his girlfriend was. She had long dark hair and bronze skin. Mindy’s attention returned to the man. Maybe he had a great personality or was successful. That could be the point that Keisha was trying to make. Then again, they were playing a silly game and Keisha loved to joke around. When her eyes flicked to check on her friend, she sure seemed serious enough.

That raised Mindy’s suspicions, and not for the first time, because Keisha was normally so direct. Except when the topic of boys came up. Her responses then were often cagey and left room for doubt. As if she had something to hide. Some of their friends had behaved that way recently. Before coming out.

“I respect your choice,” Mindy said. Then she blanched. “Not that it’s a choice. Umm. Because I pressured you, I mean. Ha ha!”

Keisha raised an eyebrow. “Thank you?”

Mindy pretended to look elsewhere so her blush was hidden. How could she broach the subject discreetly while still showing her support? “Cameron is taking Anthony to the botanic garden today,” she said. “Isn’t that romantic? I used to have a crush on him. Cameron, I mean. Now l love him. And I’ve always loved Anthony. I’m so glad they found each other. What they have together is beautiful.”

“I envy them,” Keisha said evenly. “And I worry about them.”

“How come?”

“Because not everyone is so understanding about that sort of thing. Straight guys especially. Unless it’s two women. Then they think it’s hot.”

“I hate double standards,” Mindy said with a huff.

“So do I, but girls can be just as mean about lesbians. I guess people feel more threatened when members of their own tribe defect.”

“That’s so wrong!”

“Do you think so?” Keisha asked, turning to meet her eye. “Because I still remember how you pretended to gag when KD Lang came out.”