In band class, Julio shares his lunch experience with Ben. Julio tells his approving friend that, for the first time since he arrived in Cincinnati, he feels “alive” (79).

That night when the two chat, Julio mentions to Romi how much he misses his golden retriever, whom he had to leave behind with his grandparents. Romi offers him one of the puppies that her golden retriever just delivered. She then asks what Julio’s astrological sign is. He tells her that he is a Pisces, the water bearer. She tells him that she is a Leo, regal like a lion.

After weeks of delaying unpacking his things, Julio begins to open boxes with his signed baseball card of Hank Aaron, rock collection, and CDs. He finds among his things a small stuffed lion he won at the Texas State Fair. He decides this would be a perfect gift for Romi, a Leo.

Julio discusses Romi with his father, Luis. When Julio mentions that Romi is African American, his father is concerned. Luis warns his son that he knows firsthand the trouble that happens when Black and Hispanic people clash and that gangs do real harm. He warns his son to be careful.

In her journal entry, Romi mentions receiving a stuffed lion from Julio. She loves the gift and offers him a golden keychain with her initials on it. At lunch, two of the Devildogs stop at the table where Romi and Julio are eating—but say nothing. After a few minutes, they leave, and the “silly, friendly mood of [their] lunch conversation ha[s] been ruined” (92). Romi then takes out her portable CD player and turns up the volume, and she and Julio do an impromptu dance on the cafeteria tables.

Julio tells Ben about the gifts he and Romi exchanged and the Devildogs’ visit. Ben assures Julio that these members were just playing tough.

After school, Romi heads to her mother’s boutique to work. Her mother heads to the bank for an errand, leaving Romi alone. She is surprised when her schoolmate and former friend Malaka Grimes strolls in. The two had been close friends as children, but after Malaka’s parents divorced, Malaka joined a gang. Malaka smokes, drinks before school, and sports a tattoo; Romi suspects she also does drugs. After an uneasy chat, Malaka warns Romi to end things with “that Puerto Rican” (102). Romi says she likes Julio and that his Hispanic background does not bother her. Malaka storms out of the store.

On the phone, Romi and Julio discuss the Devildogs. Julio describes conditions back at his Corpus Christi school, how the school was in constant conflict between gangs of Black students and gangs of Hispanic students. School administrators did nothing, and even the principal hid in his office. A teacher who told one of the gang members not to wear their gang colors to school died in a mysterious car accident, as his brakes failed. Julio assures Romi that the Devildogs are interested in intimidating him, not her, and that he will protect her.

In gym class the next day, Julio tells Ben about his concerns about the Devildogs. He then shares that he is going to Romi’s house on Sunday to pick out a golden retriever puppy. However, he is uncertain how her parents will react to him.

Romi shares with Destiny how much fun dancing with Julio on the cafeteria tables had been: “It felt like fire, like ice, like spice, like magic” (115).

When Romi and Julio chat that night, Julio admits he is apprehensive about meeting Romi’s parents when he picks out his puppy. Romi assures him that her parents are accepting. Julio shares his fantasy with Romi: “two sixteen-year-olds, a little different on the outside but sharing something on the inside, on a beach…he would whisper phrases from Spanish love songs in her ear and she would tremble in his arms” (120).

Romi once again dreams about drowning. This time, however, Julio is with her, and they are running along a beach away from something vague. The sky is on fire, and Romi jumps into the water to save herself—but then feels like she is drowning. She struggles to find her way to the surface and sees the bright fire in the sky. Before she wakes up, she hears the voice calling her name. Romi wakes up screaming. Her mother rushes in to calm her down, but Romi says nothing about the nightmare.

At Destiny’s house, Romi shares her nightmare. She admits she is confused about whether the voice wishes to drown her or save her. She then admits she cannot imagine her life without Julio.

Julio talks to his mother about his anxiety over meeting Romi’s parents; however, he does not mention the Devildogs. Julio’s mother can see how much Romi means to him and is more sympathetic than his father about the teenagers’ relationship. She assures her son that she remembers what it feels like to fall in love and advises him to relax.

The next day, Ben, sensing Julio’s anxiety over meeting Romi’s parents, tries to distract him by reviewing all the on-air goofs made by local news anchor Nanette Norris. Julio entertains the idea of getting a summer internship at the station. Ben reminds Julio that Romi’s father, Cornell, works there and could help him get a position. Julio assures him that he is not interested in using Romi’s father as a connection, as he only wants to make a good impression for Romi’s sake.