The three of us head back to the dorm together. Ernie is talking about a new cartridge for his video game thing, but I’m half-listening. I’m focused on how perfect a day it is. It’s sunny, and the sky is an open, clear blue. The air is dry and cool. It would be perfect for an outdoor wedding or a romantic drive along the lake. I want to hold Chaz’s hand and stroll across the green like a couple in a movie, but I think Ernie would have a stroke.

Plus, Gordo is barreling our way. Or, I guess, my way. “You’re dead!” He pushes me in the chest hard. “You told Ma Elena she could do better than me?” Sweat gleams through his fade. “She was fine before you got here, you little fag!”

The word hits the air like a bomb. Chaz goes perfectly still, like, literally stops moving. Ernie starts to sputter about bullying, but Gordo turns on him. “I’m not surprised that these two,” he says, nodding toward Chaz and me, “are fruiting around together, but I thought you were smarter than that, Gale.”

“I’d rather hang with them than … than … a moron.”

Okay, so Ernie isn’t the best at comebacks, but it gets under Gordo’s skin.

“My GPA is as high as yours, you little freak, and I’m not a walking car wreck!”

Chaz finds his voice. “Ignore him, Ern. He’s just jealous because you have two dates for prom, and he has none.”

This sets Gordo off. “That’s it!” He readies a punch, but the dean has been watching the scene and barks orders for us to cool it. There’s no way to tell what he has or hasn’t heard, but we take the opportunity to race for our rooms. I think I hear more shouting from Gordo, but I don’t look back.

I’m dazzled by Chaz’s quick retort, too, but Ernie looks like he might pass out. He’s a terrible color, the shade that makes people say “green at the gills” about a white person on a sailboat.

Chaz is trying to be soothing. “He doesn’t mean it, Ern. There’s no chance Gordo really thinks that of you. He just lets his mouth run.” I get it, trying to placate the freaked-out straight boy, but it still irks me a little. Gordo’s more comfortable saying gay than Chaz.

But it works. Ernie shrugs and starts talking about an idea he has for graduation decorations, moving on to the next big thing even before this one is over.