Michael Barakiva

You're not scared to do the right thing, even when it's harder. Like telling Mr. Weedin when he had copied that problem wrong. Or calling me out when you thought I was being homophobic. And I respect that, Alek. You've got character. That's something I want in a guy I'm going to be with. It means he's going to treat me well, and that he deserves to be treated well himself.

You know, when I came home after our day in the city, I just crashed, thinking about Remi and how much I missed him. And then the next day was worse, And when you walked up to me at that ice cream machine, I just felt myself crumble inside. Around Remi, I felt like I was always trying to act like I was good enough. But around you, I don't want to pretend or hide. That's why I didn't say anything in the cafeteria that day, I knew that in five seconds, I'd be crying on your shoulder.""That's what it's there for, Ethan."Alek leaned in, took Ethan's face in his hands, and kissed him.

Because anyone who thinks there is something wrong with being gay is like those people you read about in History who believed it segregation.

«This summer's been a dream,» Ethan murmured.«I know.»«I just hate that we've only got one week before it ends.»«You've got it all wrong, Eth,» Alek said, gently running his hand through Ethan's surfer hair. «This summer's not the dream. We are. You and me. And it doesn't matter what time of the year it is, as long as we're together.»«I like that, Polly-O.» Ethan smiled.«We'll wreak havoc, you and me.» Alek told him.