Note: These pages include the poems “Kate: I stare at MisDirection,” “Tam: She keeps looking at that poster,” “Tam: Puffy paints,” “Tam: Oh who am I kidding,” “Kate: Tam is so quiet,” “Tam: Oh, Baby starts to play,” “Kate: The squad looks at me,” “Tam: I keep talking,” “Kate: I don’t want her to leave,” “Tam: I cross the street,” “Kate: Mom eyes the paint on the newspapers,” “Tam: I feel so stupid,” “Tam: Hey, Mom,” “Alex, Alyx, Alexx: The electricity,” “Kate: She’s quiet today,” “Tam: It’s not that I don’t want to see her,” “Kate: David yells,” “Kate: I can’t figure it out,” “Tam: What’s up, nerd,” “Tam: She catches my arm,” “Kate: What does she mean,” “Kate: Other people are other people,” “Tam: Huh,” “Kate: The driveway is three trucks deep,” “Kate: I take it you haven’t talked to,” “Kate: Bully ME, huh,” “Tam: Hey, stranger,” “Kate: I know I’m acting weird,” “Tam: Listen, if you figure out,” “Kate: I love these moments,” and “Tam: President, huh.” 

At Kate’s house, Tam notices Kate staring at her MisDirection poster. Kate is trying unsuccessfully to make herself feel something for the boys in the picture. Tam, meanwhile, tries to make sense of why Kate likes the band. The squad comes over, and Tam feels awkward watching them all sing along to MisDirection songs. They start making fun of Tam when she criticizes the band and their music. Kate joins in, insisting Tam is taking this too seriously. Confused by Kate’s behavior, Tam leaves. Kate feels bad but thinks it’s easier for Tam to be herself than it is for her. Overwhelmed by the feeling that she is losing herself, she sits down. She wishes she could fix things by inviting Tam to the concert, but fears she’s made too big a mess already.

Tam goes over to Frankie’s house and rants about everything that’s been happening. Still upset afterward, she returns home, where she tells her mom that she has feelings for Kate. Her mom encourages her to tell Kate the truth and gives her a hug.

Tam avoids Kate at school, unsure which version of Kate to expect. Kate watches Tam laughing and joking with Levi at lunch. Meanwhile, she fields flak from her classmates about the fake mascot. She catches up to Tam afterward to see if she is mad at her. They get into an argument where Kate is defensive of what happened at her house. She feels offended when Tam says she isn’t being herself, but she doesn’t know what that actually means.

Note: These pages include the poems “Kate: Have I met my mom,” “Kate: You’re not gay, Katherine,” “Kate: She says all these things,” “Kate: I stare at myself,” “Alex, Alyx, Alexx: Red alert,” “Kate: Her pinkie is relaxed,” “Tam: I’m trying to get Levi,” “Kate: Can everyone see me freaking,” “Kate: She wants to know what happened,” “Tam: I want her to be happy,” “Kate: I don’t want her strong,” “Tam: It’s okay she disappeared,” “Kate: Becca pulls me aside,” “Kate: Jill’s car pulls up,” “Kate: “Why did I listen to you, again,” “Kate: The milkshake is melted,” “Kate: She’s behind me, “Kate: I’m only here because I’m not going home,” “Kate: Tell me what you want,” “Kate: Everything is quiet,” and “Kate: Mom’s face.” 

When Kate returns home, she finds the house overrun with construction workers. Overwhelmed, she tells her mom she’s going to the library but meets up with Jill instead, venting about her confusing feelings for Tam. Jill again encourages her to be more honest with Tam and their mom about what she’s going through.

Back at school, Tam and Kate meet up under their favorite tree. They talk and hold hands, making amends and talking more honestly about their feelings. Tam encourages Kate to be herself, and they agree to be a couple.

At home afterward, Kate interrupts her mom’s housework to tell her that she is gay. Her mom returns to her work, insisting that Kate isn’t gay because she’s “too young to know” (270), and she’s “a normal girl” (271). An ashamed Kate agrees with her mom. Afterward, she catches her reflection in the side of the toaster and realizes this distorted version of her is what her mom sees.

The next day, Kate and Tam hold pinkies in the hall, but when Kate notices people staring at them, she pulls away and races down the hall. Tam chases after her. Kate says that she isn’t ready to hold hands in public. Tam is surprised but agrees to slow down.

Becca finds Kate and drags her into the bathroom, where she tells Kate that their classmates are gossiping about her and Tam, who they swear they saw kissing outside school. A mortified Kate insists it isn’t true. Feeling sick, she calls Jill to pick her up early. In the car, she vents about everything that happened. Jill listens and hugs her. Afterward, the sisters drive back to Jill’s house, where Jill confronts Kate about what she really wants and urges her to stop trying to make everyone else happy. Jill drives Kate home and finally tells their mom she is back in town.

Note: These pages include the poems “Alex, Alyx, Alexx: It’s not better today,” “Kate: When you take a deep breath,” “Kate: Tam is acting super strange,” “Tam: Everything,” “Tam: I sneak looks at her,” “Kate: I know she’s looking at me,” “Tam: I,” “Kate: Where’s your new BFF,” “Tam: Meercat stands on three legs,” “Kate: I’ve never noticed how wide,” “Tam: Mom,” “We aren’t holding hands,” “Kate: Maybe I’ll stay,” “Tam: Maybe I’ll stay,” “Alex, Alyx, Alexx: Did you see,” “Tam: Kate,” “Kate: If I stay,” “Kate: I mean, what is a friend,” “Tam: Cool,” “Tam: Everywhere I look,” “Kate: No more cafeteria for me,” “Tam: Sometimes,” “Kate: It shouldn’t be true,” “Kate: I look through the Falcon’s eyes,” and “Tam: I didn’t tell her I’d be here.”

At school, Kate longs to tell Tam what’s going on at home and what she really feels, but she is too afraid. Meanwhile, Tam tries not to let Kate’s behavior upset her. Nervously snapping her bracelet against her wrist all day, Tam tries to catch Kate’s eye. Kate refuses to look at Tam, unsure what she wants.

At practice, Kate tells Coach that she wants to continue being the mascot and that her mom is supportive. Back at home, she tries to decide how to tell her mom that she isn’t really gay and that she is running for president. She does, however, confide in Jill, admitting she and Tam aren’t on good terms anymore. She and Tam hole up in their respective bedrooms, confused as to what they feel and what they should do.

Back at school, posters of Kate’s face cover the hallways. Kate dons a happy demeanor and throws herself into the presidential campaign. She tells herself that she’s too busy to spend time with Tam anymore. Meanwhile, Tam sits alone under their tree, feeling frustrated with Kate. Still, she attends one of Kate’s games and plans to confront her. Inside the mascot outfit, Kate wants to disappear.