Crosby raised his hand. “Are you going to do the club again, Ms. B?”

“Yes, I think so,” she said. “But what are your thoughts about how we can improve it?”

Emma suggested that instead of permanent squads for the whole semester, they switch the members of the squads for each match “so it doesn’t start to feel like us against them.”

Caleb said that next time they should pick a game that wasn’t based on a real war.

Since they’d been able to get the computers for free, Zach wondered if they should try writing another grant for really good gaming chairs.

Ms. B turned to Mackenzie and Crosby. “Do either of you have anything to add?”

Mackenzie shook her head and then looked at Emma. For once, she didn’t sneer. Her eyes were soft, almost wistful. Emma couldn’t know for certain what she was thinking, but the expression on Mackenzie’s face just might have meant Thanks.

Crosby raised his hand next. “I don’t have a suggestion, Ms. B. Just something I want to say. That okay?”

“That’s fine, Crosby,” Ms. B said.

Crosby turned to Zach. “I learned something. I’ve been picking on certain people because I’ve been really angry about some bad things that are happening at home. But that’s no excuse. What I did was wrong. And…I’m sorry.”

Everyone turned to see how Zach would react. He leaned forward in his chair and held out his fist for a bump. Crosby bumped it.

“Ancient history,” Zach said.

They were at the top of the big hill again. Zach had wanted Caleb to go first, but Caleb insisted Zach go. He watched as Zach gracefully carved down the long straightaway. When he got to the bottom, Zach stopped before the bend in the road so he could watch Caleb come down.

Caleb stood at the top of the hill with one foot on the board. A breeze ruffled his hair. He took a deep breath of fresh air. He couldn’t think of anyplace he’d rather be.

Down at the bottom of the long straightaway, Zach waved. “You ready?”

Caleb smiled. He’d never been more ready.

My great thanks to Beverly Horowitz, who, as publisher of Delacorte Press, gave me the opportunity to write this book. Forty years ago, when we were both starting out in the publishing world, Beverly edited The Wave. I am grateful that all three of us are still in print. I would also like to thank Kelsey Horton for her excellent editing on this project. In addition, numerous young people and gamers served as resources for this story, including my son, Geoff; Isaac Cooper; and Walker Friedman. Thanks, guys. I am also indebted to Aimee Aslanian, Michael Masino, and Kristina Pantginis for directing me to gamers at their schools. Finally, a hat tip to the Anti-Defamation League and the Southern Poverty Law Center for the research and information they provided. Hate is not the way forward.