Steve narrates the bus ride from the mall to downtown, during which he sits between Topher and Brand, who are angry with each other. Steve remarks, “[t]here is nothing worse than being stuck between two people who are mad at each other” (126). Abruptly, Topher turns to Steve and explains that, just because he drew a picture of Maggie does not mean he has a crush on her. Steve reflects that he never thought Topher had a crush on their teacher. Eventually, Brand and Topher begin to speak to one another again. Brand explains that he is jealous of Topher’s ability to draw. He agrees to buy a new sketchbook to replace the torn one.

Steve reflects on the difficulty in understanding girls. It is much easier, he notes, to get along with boys. In particular, he says he is not compatible with his sister, who is five years older than him and has lorded over him for as long as he can remember. He also comments that his parents often argue. Steve recalls an occasion in the spring when he and Topher went to a creek searching for tadpoles and discussed the idea that marriage is a problematic relationship. They struggled to find an example of any marriage that worked serenely.