Summary

Chapter 26 begins with Ben on the last Monday of July. Arthur’s birthday is coming up, and Ben’s started to write Arthur into his novel as a gift. Ben is in class, and Hudson turns to look at him. At the end of class, he approaches Ben and asks to talk. Hudson says that he saw Ben in a picture with Arthur, and he’s thought a lot about Ben since. He wants to be friends again. Ben is surprised, but agrees. Then he leaves, following the teacher, asking how he is doing in the class. His teacher says that he’s going to need to study a lot to pass the final. When Ben steps outside, he sees Arthur waiting for him, which is a surprise. Arthur told his office that he was sick, and left for the afternoon. Suddenly, Hudson...