“I want you to come up with an art piece that you can keep working on for the rest of camp, whenever you have time,” Karly said. “It can be in whatever style you want—and about anything you want. Just pick something meaningful to you. We’ll do an art show at the end of the summer and display your special projects in addition to some of the other works.

“Today, when it’s not your turn on the computers, I want you to fill out a worksheet,” Karly said, prompting a few groans around the room. “It’s just for you, not to turn in, but I hope it’ll help each of you come up with a great idea for your special project. I can’t wait to see what you create!”

Karly looked over at the students on the side of the room near the door. “Everyone in the first two rows, follow me to the computers.” To the rest of us, she said, “Everyone else, grab a worksheet off my desk and start brainstorming!”

Jackie and two of her friends, and five other kids I didn’t know, left with Karly.

“Can my special project be taking a nap?” Axl asked Jasmine, resting his head on his arm on top of his art table.

Jake turned around in his seat in the front row. “No, it has to be an art project,” he said seriously.

“Duh, Jake,” said a really tall kid in the back row, with red hair that stuck out under a trucker hat with a fish on it. He laughed in a mocking way and added, “He’s not an idiot.”

“Axl looks pretty serious about napping,” Izzy cut in.

“I am,” Axl muttered, his eyes closed. “Everyone hush.”

“I think Jake was right to explain it to him,” Izzy said.

The redhead rolled his eyes, sitting back in his chair and crossing his arms over his chest. “You’re always sticking up for him, Kosta. What, is he your boyfriend?”

Two other boys laughed.

Boy Sam cleared his throat and shifted in his seat uncomfortably. I remembered that he was getting to know all of these kids, just like I was. He and I shared a nervous glance.

“We’re not boyfriends,” Jake said flatly, eyes on the worksheet he’d already started. “We’re neighbors, and Izzy is heterosexual. I know this because he likes—”

“Okay now!” Izzy said loudly, interrupting Jake and standing up, his cheeks reddening. He went to Karly’s desk and got the pile of papers, then began handing them out to everyone but Jake. “Let’s just do the stupid worksheets.”