Page 50 of Explosive Prejudice

I wanted to hit him. I wanted to fucking break him… but I couldn’t. So, instead, I turned around and began walking away.

“I told you,” he said, and I paused. “I told you you’d hate me.”

Moments from last night returned to me. The warmth of his skin against mine, the taste of his lips, and the heaven of his embrace. While remembering how good he felt, I also recalled how broken he’d looked on the floor and how I’d promised him I was there for him. No. I promised that to Llorón.

“You were right,” I said, feeling how those three words squeezed the last bit of strength I had left before I continued to walk away, leaving Shay-Lee behind.

Diesel

Llorón is Shay-Lee.

“I understand that he’s already gotten into a few fights, but please give him this one last chance.”

Shay-Lee is Llorón.

“A few fights? Since the beginning of the school year, he’s visited my office more times than I could count.”

Did he know it was me the whole time?

“I know, but expelling him three months before he graduates? I’m sure there are other things you could do.”

Every time we met, every conversation we had, every secret I shared with him. All those moments I cherished for the past few weeks were nothing but a fraud.

“He almost knocked all the other student’s teeth out of his mouth.”

How did I not realize it sooner? All the signs were there: the sound of his voice, the color of his eyes, his mannerisms. I should have been able to make the connection, but I didn’t. I was so invested in him that it messed me up.

“But that other kid, Kamper, he was the one to start the fight. He provoked him in the hall.”

Why would he do that? Was it to mess with me because of that recording I have of him? Would he actually go to such lengths just for that?

“Kamper may have started the fight, but it was a harmless provocation. What Mr. Gómez did in return was out of proportion. The young man’s parents almost proceeded to press charges.”

Yes. He would go to such lengths because Shay-Lee Rogers is a crazy son of a bitch. A rich, spoiled asshole who takes whatever he wants because he simply can.

“Pressing charges? That’s absurd. The other kid was the one to start the fight. The security camera clearly shows him pushing Diesel first.”

Shay-Lee may be a piece of shit, but Llorón isn’t. Llorón is sweet and kind. He’s the guy who woke up early to stand in line to buy me food I liked and who put on lingerie for me. He’s the man who understood me more than anyone else ever did.

“That’s why I said they almost pressed charges. They decided not to do so, knowing the school would handle it.”

What the hell is wrong with me? Treating the two as different people while they are the same person. I’m going fucking crazy, thinking the same shit nonstop for nearly a week.

“So let me get it straight. You have a student who undoubtedly started the fight, you acknowledge that fact, and yet the one you plan to expel is the student who defended himself? I can’t help but wonder if it has anything to do with Diesel being here on a scholarship while the other kid’s folks are big donors to the school.”

For how long did he plan to lead me on?

“What are you implying?”

Why did he suddenly decide to tell me?

“I’m not implying anything but telling you that there’s a word for what you’re doing, and it’s called discrimination. I wonder what the news would have to say about that.”

Why, after all this time, did he decide to end it?

“We wouldn’t want to draw any unnecessary attention, would we? Since Mr. Gómez is already doing after-school detention for the next month, how about we add a few more weeks and call it a deal. I will make sure to handle the other parents, as long as you don’t take any of this out. Having said that, I need Mr. Gómez to understand this is his last and final chance, and I mean it this time.”

Someone nudged my shoulder, and I looked to my side to find Chief looking at me.

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