Summary

In Chapter 1, the first person narrator, Felix, gets on the subway in Brooklyn with his best friend, Ezra to meet for a group project. They have just left Ezra’s apartment, where Felix often stays over as it is much closer to their school and Ezra lives there alone, the rent being paid by his wealthy parents.

It is June, but they are participating in an arts summer program at their high school, St. Cats, to prepare portfolios for applying to college in the fall. Felix is stressed because he has not started his portfolio. His dream is to get into Brown University, which grants one student from St. Cats a full scholarship, which he needs as his father cannot afford tuition.

On the subway, Ezra cuddles Felix. An old man stares at Ezra and Felix. The old man tells them that his grandson...