Page 167 of Pride High 3: Yellow
Ricky thought about it before nodding. “Sometimes, yeah, usually when the word is more general, like a herd or a swarm.”
“Good, because a group of gay people should also be called a pride.”
“That’s perfect!” Ricky said. “Especially considering where we live.”
“Yeah, but I wouldn’t apply it to the whole town. It’s just for people like us. We’re in the same pride.”
Ricky did a happy little skip. “I love it! From now on, if anyone thinks it’s weird that I call you my big brother, I’ll tell them we’re in the same pride.”
Their levity fell away when the woods ended just before a craggy cliffside. A small stream burbled to their left. There didn’t seem to be anywhere else to go without forcing their way through the underbrush to the right.
“Diego?” Ricky called out. “It’s me!”
They stood perfectly still until Diego appeared farther along the rocky wall. He stopped when noticing Anthony, who already felt his temper rising, although he tried to keep it in check.
"You're early," Diego said.
"I know,” Ricky replied. “But a lot has happened.”
Diego nodded in his direction. “What’s he doing here?”
“I won’t be staying long,” Anthony said, blood pounding in his ears. “But I would like a word with you before I go. Alone, preferably.”
Ricky seemed confused.
“It’s fine,” Anthony assured him. “I’ll see you at school. Okay?”
Ricky nodded. “Okay. Thanks for driving me out here. Um…”
“Wait inside,” Diego said. “It’s all set up.”
Ricky got a funny smile on his face before going in the direction Diego had come from.
“The police got the tape?” Diego asked as he approached.
“Yes,” Anthony said tersely. “And you’re being very naïve. You can’t make this go away by hiding in a cave. Graham’s dad is a lawyer, you know.”
Diego seemed surprised by this news. “He is?”
“Yes, and I don’t know if he’s buddy-buddy with any judges, but he’s a total jerk like his son and won’t let this get swept under the rug just because you’re hard to find.”
“I’ll survive.” Diego eyes narrowed. “And also, mind your own fucking business.”
“Are you kidding me?” Anthony snorted and shook his head. “Thisismy business. My dad nearly lost his job because of you!”
“So what? He’s off the hook.”
“He gotsuspended,” Anthony growled. “That’ll be on his record forever, and it’s not a joke like getting in trouble at school. This is his career! He never had a single problem beforeyougot him in trouble.”
“Me?”Diego snarled. “I didn’t do shit! He shouldn’t have said those things to Graham’s dickhead father if he didn’t want blowback.”
“Nobody cared untilyoutried to burn down his house!”
Diego bared his teeth. “Point the finger at me again and I’ll fucking break it. I’m sick of getting blamed for all your problems! And now you want to heap your dad’s shit on top of it all?”
“Fine,” Anthony said through gritted teeth. “You’re right. My dad shouldn’t have said what he said, but you lit the fuse.”
“Just like how I burned down the garage?”
