Summary

Chapter 9 – Simon narrates his emotional, sexually charged reaction to hearing that Blue imagines him fantasizing about sex, and masturbates to thoughts of being with Blue who, he imagines, is Cal. The next day is Simon’s birthday. Leah gives him a mix CD, and at lunch there is a large cake, in which everyone shares. At rehearsal for the musical after school, and on a break after the rest of the cake has been devoured, Cal quietly wishes Simon a happy birthday, touching him lightly on the shoulder but not responding when Simon carefully drops a reference to Oreos into the conversation.

Chapter 10 – Another chapter of Jacques/Blue emails. Jacques writes a slightly incoherent email at four in the morning. He talks about being unsure about how he will handle upcoming quizzes, recalling a reality TV show in which people had their first date...