Summary

In Chapter 1, Niru, a Nigerian-American high school senior, sits in Global Literatures class at his private school one winter day in Washington, D.C., as snow starts to fall. As the snow falls harder, class is dismissed. Afraid to drive home in the snow after witnessing two of his track teammates get into a fender-bender, Niru decides to go to Meredith's house, which is located on O Street, an affluent section of Washington, D.C.

Meredith's parents have not returned as expected from an out-of town trip, so the house is empty when Niru and Meredith arrive. They eat and drink some whiskey. When Meredith attempts to kiss Niru, he recoils. Meredith assumes Niru finds her unattractive, so she leaves. When he finds her, he tells her that the problem is that he is gay. Having grown up in a...