Gerald shifted his backpack swiftly from one shoulder to the other. “He had that look, you know? That look like ‘do this or I’ll kill you.’”

Rashid felt his lips curve up in a slight smile. He felt oddly insubstantial, his backpack shifting on his back, each foot hitting the carpet soundlessly. Extended speech seemed a grave effort, and he thought he could feel the crumpled test at the bottom of his backpack burning through to somehow sear his flesh. It seemed a miracle to him that no one else could see the fire. His voice, when he spoke, sounded faraway and odd to him. “Yeah, I’m going. I’m going.”

He could hear Gerald talking about when they were supposed to go and what all they might talk about. He could hear himself giving what he supposed were appropriate answers. He just remembered Washington’s eyes on him. The coldness of them.

Without warning, Sean Cho came up behind Gerald and Rashid and ran into them with his arms outstretched, shoving them both forward a few steps, laughing. “Why, it’s the minority outreach committee,” he said gleefully. “Planning your new strategy, kids?”

“Shut the fuck up, Cho. You know you’re going on this little boat ride, too,” said Gerald. His voice had taken on the teasing aggressiveness that he affected in public. “’Sides, it’s like Rashid here said—we could use a little color up in here.”

Sean laughed. “Don’t I know it? To tell the truth, I was a little surprised Fox asked me along for the ride.” He looked suddenly embarrassed, his smile fading. “I mean, there’s a lot more guys like me here than guys like you.”

Rashid looked at him evenly. “Well, in the city, the best schools are half Asian as it is. I guess Fox didn’t want to pass that up, either.”

The boys were briefly silent. Then Sean spoke. “I didn’t run into you guys to get all heavy, actually. I wanted to invite you for a little nature walk.” He waggled his eyebrows. “If you’re free this period.”

Rashid felt the knot in his stomach loosen. “I could definitely use a nature walk. Let’s go.”