The Best at It

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of anti-gay bias, racism, bullying, and mental illness.

Between the dance and state championships, Rahul doesn’t talk to Chelsea or Jenny. On the three-hour drive to the state championships, he checks his belongings multiple times. Rahul is sharing a room with Jai. Jai has Indian food snacks from home, and when he asks if Rahul knows what they are, Rahul realizes that he hides his knowledge of Indian food and culture at school.

The next day, the individual test is harder than the regional test. Rahul doesn’t get to finish the last question, and he doesn’t have time to double-check his answers. On the way to the team competition, Rahul asks Jenny if she’s mad at him. She asks if he even wanted to go to the dance with her since she, her mom, and her dad had to make the costumes; he hadn’t been excited; and he went off alone with Chelsea. Rahul doesn’t answer. When they get different answers in the team competition, Jenny and Rahul have a heated exchange.

The team does not place, and though Rahul gets fifth place in individuals, he doesn’t feel like a winner.