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[color=darkgray][indent][indent]Santiago didn’t miss the way Archer's eyes filled with nervousness and how he scrambled away in panic after making mention of his boyfriend. Frankly, it made him feel equal parts sad and guilty. Sad, because he knew it had to suck living in fear of negative thoughts, words or actions just because you happened to be attracted and love someone of your same gender. And guilty, because although he’d always been one to shut down the football team or his friends every time they made homophobic remarks, he felt like he hadn’t done more to prevent the behavior and stand up for what he believed in. He made a mental note to take some time to talk to Archer in private later. The boy needed to know that he didn’t judge him, and that he was 100% on his corner.

He was abruptly brought back to reality by Stella nearly deafening him in one ear in her attempt to call out Carter’s attention, and couldn’t help but snicker at both her panic and his girlfriend’s remark. Santiago had heard all about her crush on the guy during their dinner date: their history, their current interactions, and her high hopes for the future, and had offered her whatever advice he could to make sure she was aware of both the potential risks and rewards. Diablo was more than happy for his new friend, and the last thing he wanted was to see her get played with and hurt again-- even if he knew Carter enough to trust that wouldn’t be happening.

Out of nowhere, the sound of a male voice rang across the speakers, identifying themselves as [i]Ryland Aspen[/i]. The Devil had heard of him from April, when she’d told him the story of how he’d pissed off Julie enough to have her tackle him against a wall of lockers (a move that would honestly both scare him and turn him on if he was in the other boy’s position). With this story in mind, he was more than surprised when he watched the young man call the attention of and start serenading his old attacker.

[i][color=ec008c]“That’s one way to get her attention…"[/color][/i] he heard his girlfriend mumble beside him.

[color=D11717]“Yeah, tell me about it…”[/color] Santiago observed with the most amused, widest of grins as Ryland danced and sang his way around the room. [color=D11717]“You gotta give it to him, though: it takes balls to go after Julie like that. God knows how many guys tried before him and ended up humiliating themselves...”[/color] And yet, to his and everyone’s surprise, Ryland’s theatrics seemed to be the way to the ginger queen’s heart. Before they knew it, Julie was smiling at the boy, taking his outstretched hand, and leading him off to the dance floor. [color=D11717]“Holy shit, he really fucking did it! Damn, man. Mad respect right there.”[/color]

Santiago didn’t have much time to celebrate Ryland’s success, however. The attention of the love of his life was once again completely focused on him, and she was giving him the sparkling eyes and loving smile that took his breath away. When she mentioned their future daughter’s good looks, he couldn’t help but chuckle. [color=D11717]“If she does, then that’s going to be all you, [i]princesa[/i],”[/color] he told his girlfriend with a smile, planting yet another kiss on her lips and holding her close to him. But the warm feeling inside his chest quickly faded away when he remembered a serious, important topic he and April needed to discuss right away before he could forget.

[color=D11717]“So, uh, Coach Kinsley and Sergeant Mullins called me again this afternoon…”[/color] he began, scratching the back of his head again as he always did when he was nervous. [color=D11717]“I have 30 days to get back to Kinsley about the scholarship, and Sarge says that I have pretty much until then too to sign the contract and be shipped off to Basic with the group that leaves the first week of June, right after graduation.”[/color][/indent][/indent][/color]