“Héctor, what do I do?” she said, and there was a desperation in her voice. “I kept putting it off because I was afraid, and now I won’t have time to do it myself.”

“Your principal is taking this moment away from you,” said Sal. “And forcing you to come out.” They shook their head in frustration. “That’s really messed up. I haven’t figured out who I like or even if I like anyone at all. But it should still be my decision about when to tell someone!”

Héctor’s heart started racing. He knew something he could tell her that might make her feel better. But it would require him to be vulnerable to someone he barely knew. Still, as he saw how distraught Juliana was, he thought it would mean something to her if she knew she wasn’t alone.

Héctor took a deep breath.

“I’m gay,” he said to Juliana. “And I told my parents a couple years ago.”

Her eyes went wide. “Wait. Really?”

He laughed. “Did you think I was dramatic because I like theater?”

She chuckled at that. “I don’t know! I try not to assume I know anything about other people.” Then she went quiet. “Was it okay? Are your parents okay with it?”

“It was terrifying,” he said. “I knew I was gay for years. I mean . . . I didn’t think there was anything wrong with it. It’s just who I’ve always been. Still, I took so long to say anything to my parents. So I might know what you’re going through.”

“How did they take it?” she asked.

“Juliana, I don’t know what your parents are like,” said Héctor, “but I hope they are like mine. My mom and dad just wanted me to know that they loved me.” Then he smiled. “My abuela said she always knew.”

Juliana let out another long breath. “I think my mom will be fine with it. And I’m not worried about my dad either. It’s the situation that freaks me out.”

“Will you be safe if you tell her?” asked Sal. “Or will it be safe if it gets out at your school?”

“What do you mean?” asked Juliana. “Safe?”

“I dunno,” said Sal. “Do you, like . . . go to one of those ghetto schools?”

It was like all the air was sucked out of the Room, and Héctor’s heart jumped at that. Ghetto? he thought. Who says that anymore?

Juliana’s face was scrunched up, her mouth slightly open. It was clear she didn’t know what to say to that.

Sal sensed the change in both Héctor and Juliana, and they stood up.

They opened their mouth to say something.

Then . . .

Nothing.

Because Sal was gone.

There was no sound. No warning. No fading from sight. One second, they were there, and then . . . poof. Gone.