Summary

Justyce goes straight to SJ’s house. Mrs. Friedman looks shocked but says they have missed him. Mr. Friedman hugs him tightly and calls him “Jusmeister” and “son” (166). Their loving support overwhelms Justyce. The sight of him flusters SJ when Justyce finds her studying calculus in her room. When he sees her green nail polish, he hugs her and tells her about Martel. He cries in her arms, too comforted to feel embarrassed. He smiles to think that Manny would approve.

SJ confesses that she has had a crush on Justyce since tenth grade, and though she wants his friendship either way, she needs to know where he stands. He hesitates, and she believes he does not care. However, he looks at his watch and thinks of Manny, and he admits his mother’s prejudice against white girls. He has decided...