Rainbow High by Alex Sanchez Read Free Book Online

despair, he reached beneath the Reader’s Digest, grasping hold of Kyle’s hand.
    Without missing a beat, Kyle gently squeezed back. And for the first time that day, Nelson felt a semblance of peace.
    Even though Kyle had betrayed him for frickin’ Jason, Nelson knew he couldn’t real y blame Kyle for this mess. Nelson accepted ful responsibility for it. He only hoped he wouldn’t have to suffer massive consequences.
    The door by the reception desk opened again and the behemoth nurse shouted, “Nelson Glassman!”
    “That’s us!” Nelson said.
    Kyle got up to go with him.
    “I’m sorry,” the nurse told Kyle. “Results can only be given to the person tested.”
    “But he’s my best friend,” Nelson protested.
    “Sorry,” the nurse repeated, holding the door open.
    That must mean I got it, Nelson thought, horrified.
    “Don’t worry,” Kyle whispered. “I’l be here waiting.”
    Reluctantly Nelson fol owed the nurse to the examining room. After checking his blood pressure and taking his temperature, she left him.
    Alone.
    Please, please, God, he silently repeated over and over as he waited on the examining table. Don’t let me test positive. It was the first time he’d prayed in ages.
    On the wal an il ustration of a woman’s reproductive system stared back at him, as if taunting. Nelson turned away, wondering what on earth was taking pruney old Dr. Choudhury so long?
    The sound of someone whistling approached from the hal outside, fol owed by a knock. The door opened and a beefy black guy strode in with a folder.
    “Wow,” he said to Nelson. “That’s some hair!”
    He was built more like a cop than a doctor, his white medical jacket hanging tightly over his chest. “I’m Doctor Houston,” he said, firmly grasping Nelson’s hand. “Doctor Choudhury had to run to the hospital. You must be Nelson.” Nelson nodded speechlessly, a little taken aback. He’d never expected anyone other than his regular doc—especial y not someone young and gorgeous. Suddenly the tiny examining room seemed downright intimate.
    “Let’s see,” Dr. Houston said, sitting on the stool. He opened Nelson’s file. “You’re here for your HIV antibody test result?” Nelson snapped back to reality. Omigod! He grabbed hold of the examining table, his heart pumping at warp speed.
    Dr. Houston lifted his brown-eyed gaze from the folder. “I’m happy to say your test came back . . . negative.” The word seemed to hang in midair as Nelson sat silent, taking it in.
    “Negative?” he echoed back, just to be sure.
    “Yep.” Dr. Houston nodded. “I bet that’s a relief.”
    “Yeah!” Nelson said, letting out his breath. He hadn’t realized he’d been holding it. “Can I go tel my friend?” He leaped down from the examining table.
    “Whoa!” The doc raised his arm, blocking him. “Not so fast.” His smile had faded, replaced by a stern gaze. “First you and I need to have a little man-to-man chat.”
    Man-to-man? Nelson thought. Oh, please, spore me.
    “But he’s my best friend! He’s waiting.”
    “If he’s your best friend, he won’t mind waiting. This is important.”
    Reluctantly Nelson sat down again, crossing his arms. “Look, if this is a safe-sex lecture, I already know al about that.”
    “Oh, you do?” The doctor raised his thick black eyebrows. “Wel then, what caused you to come in for testing?” Nelson stared at the doc’s massive shoulders, feeling like he’d been pinned against the wal . “Look, I knew I was supposed to use a condom, but I didn’t. I was stupid, okay?”
    Dr. Houston pressed him with his stare. “You seem pretty intel igent to me.” He studied Nelson’s file for a moment before looking up at him.
    “You’re straight? Bi? Gay?”
    “Queer,” Nelson said defiantly.
    Doc nodded, unfazed. “Did you and this dude discuss safe
    “No.” Nelson shook his head. “I know we should’ve. Look, I made a mistake and I’m sorry. I won’t do it again. Promise.