Sitting in the back of Mrs. Ebbel’s class, Bradley feels safe and connected with Jeff. Both boys are intelligent and like going into the girls’ bathroom—though Bradley has never been in the girls’ bathroom and imagines it as an opulent place. After school, Bradley insults Carla and asks if Jeff likes her. Jeff is about to say she’s ok when Bradley announces his hatred for her. Jeff says he hates her too, and Bradley suggests sneaking into the girls’ bathroom, but Jeff dissuades him. The boys run into Lori, Melinda, and Colleen, who giggle and say hi to Jeff.

Bradley says he hates the three girls, and Jeff says he hates them too. Bradley wonders: If Jeff hates them, why did he say hi to them? Jeff attributes the hi to a reflex. Bradley has a suggestion: Next time one of the girls says hi, Jeff should kick her.

A week passes: Bradley and Jeff still haven’t entered the girls’ bathroom. Inevitably, Jeff comes up with a reason to delay the mission. Nonetheless, Bradley is happy because he has a friend. When he sees two gold stars next to Jeff’s name, Bradley is proud of him. They talk about Carla, and Jeff admits he likes her.