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you just act normal!”
    Nelson bit his lip, then blurted out, “We want to start a Gay-Straight A lliance.” Mueller’s face went blank. “What?”
    Kyle thought Nelson must be crazy. This was totally the wrong time to bring this up. He tried to get his attention, but Nelson persisted:
    “A club, where gay and straight students can talk.”
    “A bout sex? Not in my school.”
    Kyle racked his brain, trying to think of something to say.
    “Not sex!” Nelson shot back at Mueller, almost yelling. “A bout homophobia. MacTraugh said she’d be our faculty adviser.” Mueller yelled over Nelson: “Ms. MacTraugh doesn’t run this school.” He stood up. “I said no!”
    “Mr. Mueller?” Kyle raised his hand. “Excuse me, are you denying our right to start a club?” Mueller turned to him. For a moment Kyle doubted his nerve to continue, but somehow he managed. “Because if you are, I think you’re in violation of the First A mendment and the, uh, Federal Equal A ccess A ct.” In the silence that followed, he wondered: Had he really said that? Mueller and Nelson both stared at him. Then he saw an ever so slight smile creep across Nelson’s face as he turned to Mueller and said, “Can you give us the application for school clubs, please?” slight smile creep across Nelson’s face as he turned to Mueller and said, “Can you give us the application for school clubs, please?”

    • • • • • • • • • •
A s they crossed the street, Nelson swung his arm around Kyle. “Way to go, dude! Where the hell did you pull that from?” Kyle shrugged, trying to calm down. “The Internet. We’re hardly the first people to start a GSA , you know. Besides, I had to say something with you two yelling at each other.”
    Nelson pulled out a cigarette. “Now if you could just stand up to Jack and José like that.” Kyle glanced over his shoulder to make sure the goons weren’t following. “My heart’s still racing. I kept thinking, ‘Two days before I’m supposed to get my braces off, and that jerk screws up my teeth again.’ Imagine having to wear braces another three years.” Nelson exhaled a stream of smoke. “You can’t freeze up like that, Kyle. You’ve got to be ready to fight them. If they see you’re scared, you’re dead meat.”
    “But I’ve never fought anyone.”
    Nelson punched the air with his fists. “Fake it. You’re bigger than that little fleawart.” Kyle shook his head, unconvinced. “What good would it do? For every Jack Ransom, there’s ten more. He’s not the problem, homophobia’s the problem.”
    “A nd you know what your problem is, Kyle? You’re too damn rational. I can just see you standing there while Jack punches you out, and you say, ‘That’s okay, Jack, you’re not the problem, homophobia’s the problem.’” Kyle slung his backpack higher onto his shoulder. “I just don’t think fighting him is going to change anything. I’m going to call his probation officer.”
    Nelson tossed his cigarette aside. “What good will that do? You saw what happened with Mueller.” When they got to Kyle’s house, Nelson stirred up instant brownie mix.
    Kyle pulled out the application for the school group. “A re you sure we should do this? Who’s going to come to the group with Jack Ransom around?”
    Nelson slid the brownie tray into the oven. “He’s not going to stop us, Kyle. Especially after your little speech to Mueller. Now, shut up and write.”
    Kyle read the application. “Purpose of the group?”
    “To meet cute, sexy boys.”
    “Will you get serious?”
    Nelson tickled his ribs. “J.F.K., Kyle. Just fucking kidding. Loosen up. How about: to address the violence and fear gay people experience at school and to help promote tolerance.”
    Kyle wrote that down. “Excellent! No way can they turn that down.”
    Nelson peeked in the oven at the brownies. “Bet Mueller finds a way to wuss out.” They carried the brownies and milk to Kyle’s room. A