“Nah. Homies for life.”

Héctor reached out toward the screen. “I miss you both so much,” he whined. “It’s so hot here. All the time.”

“Boo, it’s October,” said Sophia. “How is it still hot there?”

“I think that this town is literally on the sun,” said Héctor.

“That bad?” she said.

“It’s . . . fine,” he said. Then, “It’s just very . . . different?”

That didn’t really describe it, but how could he explain it? Life here was simply off, like he’d been thrown into a parallel universe.

“Come on,” said Tim. “There’s gotta be some bomb Mexican food out there at least. You know our people are everywhere.”

“Maybe,” said Héctor. “I just haven’t found anything that feels familiar. I mean, it’s only been a week, but still. Everything is so spread out here. And hot. Did I say it was hot here?”

“You did,” said Sophia. “So it’s permanent? You’re really stuck there?”

Truthfully, Héctor was still entertaining the idea that maybe this wouldn’t work out. Maybe Mami’s teaching job would fall through, maybe they’d have to go back to San Francisco, and maybe Héctor’s life wouldn’t have to change.

“I don’t know. I might be. We’ll see.”

Tim told Héctor about a ridiculous backyard gig his father played, and then the three of them got lost in all the gossip from Alta Vista Academy. Like how Nick Royce had been cast as the lead in the fall musical, and soon audiences would be treated to his loud sandpaper voice. They laughed together. Héctor showed off the outfit he was going to wear the next day: lavender pants, paired with an egg-white T-shirt and a silver chain. “It’s like if the Rock was dating Prince,” Héctor explained.

That made Tim and Sophia crack up. “Oh, I miss you, Héctor,” said Sophia.

“Miss you, too,” he said. “Both of you.”

When he signed off, though, a creeping doubt slid up his chest. How was he ever going to keep up his friendship with Tim and Sophia if he could only see them through a screen? Well, he’d have to keep trying.

He glanced over at tomorrow’s outfit, displayed on his bed. Yeah, that would impress someone. Right?

He wasn’t sure who he was trying to impress.

Chapter Four

The next day, Héctor met with the school counselor, Ms. Milan, so he could switch to the same art class as Aishah. He was nervous when he stepped into her office, but Ms. Milan was warm and charming. She had light-brown skin and wore big hoop earrings that poked out from under her straight black hair. She told him that she was glad he was “showing initiative” by choosing to do art, and he told her the truth: he would prefer to do theater, and this was the next best thing.