The Best at It

“Then he points two fingers at his eyes and then at me. Back and forth. Back and forth. ‘I see you, Rahul!’

Chelsea whips around and yells back, ‘Uh, we see you too, weirdo! What’s your problem?’

David touches her arm, and Chelsea’s face turns a light shade of pink. ‘Don’t even pay attention to him, Chelsea. He’s a waste of space.’”

Brent shows behavior characteristic of an archetypical bully. Importantly, people like Chelsea and David never capitulate to Brent’s bullying. They point out his behavior as problematic and urge Rahul not to listen to him. This quote also explores Chelsea’s feelings for David, which Rahul appears unaware of until she asks David to the dance.

“‘I guess he’s sorta cute, right? Some people say so, anyway.’

‘Um.’ I ponder it. ‘I like the way he gels his hair. And he’s got cool sneakers.’ I catch myself. ‘Anyway, how would I know if a boy’s cute? I’m not exactly the right person to ask.’”

This quotation relates to the theme of Figuring Out and Accepting One’s Identity. Chelsea is figuring out the types of people she might be romantically interested in and wants to discuss it with her friend. However, Rahul limits his own comments so that he cannot say anything that might be perceived as non-heterosexual, which he perceives as normative at this point.

“Dad sighs. ‘Well, he might have a point. I mean, come on, Sarita.’

‘Come on, what?’

‘You must see the same things I see,’ Dad says.

‘First of all.’ Mom’s voice is firm. ‘That still doesn’t mean Vinay should talk like that. And what? What do you see?’”

Rahul’s parents are facing internal conflict when it comes to how their friends perceive Rahul’s sexuality. Rahul’s mom thinks that Vinay Uncle commenting on Rahul’s sexuality is inappropriate, but his dad seems to initially understand Vinay’s point. This quotation also shows The Importance of Positive Support Systems for Young People: The lack of his dad’s support here bothers Rahul for months.

“Bhai leans in. ‘Your grandmother taught me no one can stand in your way. If you dedicate yourself to something and become the best at it, then nobody can stop you.’”

This quotation initiates the plot’s external action. While Rahul’s grandmother practiced at something that she was good at and loved, without thinking about her bullies’ perceptions of her, Rahul slightly misunderstands this morale. He tries to become the “best” at various things he is not passionate about, hoping that this will alter people’s perception of him.

“‘Relax, Anish.’ Vinay Uncle jumps in. ‘He’s a boy. Boys should play football. Builds character. My sons play.’”

This quotation shows how conceptions of “normative,” traditional masculinity operate in the text. Vinay associates football with being a boy, reinforcing stereotypes about how men and boys are or should be socialized in the world.

“Someone tosses a ball to Brent, and to my surprise, he actually misses it. He looks over to the stands, and when I follow his gaze, I see his dad shaking his head. Brent punches himself in the arm. Three times. Really hard.”

While Brent often presents as a stereotypical bully, this moment complicates his character. Brent’s dad has toxic standards for Brent, which seemingly results in Brent tying his self-worth to how he performs in football. At his dad’s disapproval, he seemingly self-harms to punish himself for his performance.

“‘But I think you’ll be pleased.’

She hands me the camera.

Oh no. I’m not pleased. I’m definitely not pleased.

My eyes look all weird to me without my glasses on. My skin is swimming in a sea of grease, my nose takes up half my face, and the flash bouncing off my braces makes it look like a shooting star just flew out of my mouth. Also, my arms look like two brown toothpicks jabbed into the short sleeves of my polo shirt.”

Rahul is hyper-critical of his own features. While he is critical of standard teenage features, like greasy skin or braces, he is particularly critical of features that he feels denote his Indianness, like the shape of his nose or his “brown toothpick” arms.

“‘That was not the right skin tone at all. I forgot my cousin’s white.’ She delicately grabs a paper towel, using just the tips of her fingers, and starts toward me.

‘No, wait.’ I’m fixated on my reflection. It’s a little garish, but I also kinda like how light it makes my skin look. ‘This could be good.’”

As Rahul navigates figuring out and accepting his identity, he often resists his own inherent identities and tries to align with the identities he considers normative, like whiteness. In this quotation, he lightens his skin for the audition, assuming that this makes him a more desirable actor.

“‘I don’t disagree with you, Wyatt.’ Mark starts scratching at that invisible spot on the table again. ‘But that’s not what we’re doing here today.’

‘Why not today?’ Chelsea asks.

Wyatt stands up at the table. ‘Smart young lady. It’s a good question. Why not today, Mark?’”

Chelsea is Rahul’s biggest supporter and advocate. In this quotation, she points out the latent racism in the commercial director’s approach to casting. Mark tries to absolve himself of any responsibility to work toward equality in the casting process, claiming that it’s something that they should do another time, but not today. Chelsea’s words and Wyatt’s support of her point out that this type of thinking both perpetuates whiteness as a default or normative American race and continuously postpones equitable practice.

“She pounds her fists over and over and over against the ‘Caution Automatic Door’ sign. Her back shakes as she screams, ‘OPEN UP I WANT TO TALK TO SOMEBODY!’ at the top of her lungs. But the person cleaning the carpets doesn’t even look up.

I know Mom’s right. And I know she wants to do this. But I hate that she has to.

Because of me.

I just want to go home.”

This quotation helps explain the theme of the importance of positive support systems for young people. Rahul, a 12-year-old boy, does not have the social capital or know-how to confront a room full of grown men discriminating against him. Rahul’s mom comes to his aid, leveraging her voice in his defense. At the same time, this moment fuels Rahul’s guilt and his feelings of difference.

“‘But why did he have to be white, Rahul? Or more importantly, why do you agree he had to be white?’

‘Because the parents were white.’ I have a feeling that Bhai isn’t satisfied with my answer. ‘I mean, doesn’t that make sense?’

‘Well, okay, so the parents were white. But like that man said, maybe they could have thought of a different commercial. Maybe they need to start opening up their way of thinking.’”

Bhai tries to get Rahul to question why he thinks of whiteness as normative and desirable. With gentle guidance, he tries to get Rahul to think critically about their society’s social structures. This helps emphasize the theme of the importance of positive support systems for young people.

“That’s why I keep thinking about Justin, I tell myself.

Because everything would be easier if I were him If I weren’t ME.”

This quotation shows several important things about Rahul’s character. First, he is resistant to accepting his own identities. Second, he thinks that Justin’s identities make him an ideal type of person that Rahul should try to be. Third, he doesn’t understand that Justin is also a complex person with struggles. As Rahul’s behaviors address the theme of figuring out and accepting one’s identity, he will develop a healthier relationship with Justin.

“‘It wasn’t that hard.’ My breath is ragged as I try to keep up with him.

‘Yeah it was. I did it last night. And it was hard. It was really hard. Honestly, you’re really good at that. That was amazing!’

‘You think?’ I ask.

A little firework goes off in my heart. I am really good at it.

And Justin Emery thinks that’s amazing.”

Justin shows the importance of positive support systems for young people. Some teens and preteens do not think that school subjects like math are “cool,” but Justin recognizes Rahul’s skills and compliments him for it. However, Justin is a “cool kid,” so Rahul gives his opinion outside weight in his life, letting external validation guide his choices.

“And I know all my people are not Christian, but some of them are. And for the ones who aren’t, living in America has made celebrating Christmas a tradition. I bet if Brent’s family lived in India, they’d start celebrating Diwali.”

This quotation shows Rahul’s internal monologue in response to a racist remark from Brent about how people of Indian descent shouldn’t celebrate Christmas. Rahul’s commentary shows that no group of people is a monolith. It also shows how things like holidays are culturally contextual traditions and events; when someone’s cultural context changes, their practices naturally also change.

“And suddenly, all five of us, and Mr. Hayden, are jumping up and down so hard that the entire set of bleachers is shaking. We’re up in each other’s faces, screaming, screaming nonsense words of joy. I’m bear-hugging David. Gina is racing down the bleachers. Jai is right behind her, one arm on Gina’s shoulder and the other fist-bumping the sky.

I can’t believe it! We won! My face is frozen in shock.

‘Not the humblest group I’ve ever met.’ Mr. Scoky smiles as he hands us our medals. ‘But you all really deserve it.’”

This quotation characterizes the Mathletes. The Greenville Mathletes have never won a district competition before. Additionally, they faced racial prejudice in the competition and still got first place.

“And then, in the cool-kids’ section, I see Justin stand up. He sticks two fingers in his mouth and whistles. Chelsea glances over her shoulder at him, and then she starts chanting, ‘Math-letes! Math-letes!’

And then one by one, the entire middle school starts to stand.”

This quotation shows the theme the importance of positive support systems for young people. Justin uses the influence that comes with being popular to guide the school into celebrating the Mathletes’ win, which helps Rahul see his own value.

“‘Would it help if I said it? she says ever so gently. She hesitates. Do you think you might be…gay?’

Her voice lilts up like a question, but it’s like it’s a question she already knows the answer to.

Tears start to spill out of my eyes, and I scrunch up my face to try and stop them. But I can’t.

I bury my face in my hands, and, somehow, I managed to nod.

‘Oh, Ra, it’s okay,’ Chelsea says. She puts an arm on each of my shoulders, and we stand like that for a little while until the tears slow down.

Then I lean into her, and she hugs me tight.”

This is the first time Rahul comes out to anyone. The quotation shows the themes of figuring out and accepting one’s identity and the importance of positive support systems for young people. Rahul is still struggling with accepting himself, but Chelsea accepts him unfailingly, even anticipating his confession.

“It’s funny, but I realize that I haven’t seen any other Indian guys my age, like, changing in front of me. I turn to look away, but for some reason, I don’t feel as anxious as I do in the locker room. It’s like, seeing him makes me think my body is more okay or something. Like I’m not so different.”

Rahul’s interactions with Jai develop the theme of figuring out and accepting one’s identity. Rahul constantly compares himself to people like Justin—sporty, strong, tall, white boys. This is only one type of person among countless possibilities of different types of people. Seeing other types of people, especially people who look like him, makes Rahul feel more normal.

“When I’m done washing the dishes, I turn off the faucet and run my hand under it five times. ‘Off, off, off, off, off,’ I whisper. Then I check the dials on the stove. ‘Off, off, off, off, off.’ I’m heading out of the kitchen when I feel paralyzed. Am I sure the stove is off?”

This quotation shows Rahul’s checking behavior. Rahul integrates the number five into his rituals. The checking behaviors involve counting aloud and doing a physical action a certain number of times—in this case, running his hand under a tap. This quotation also shows the obsessions that lead to the checking behavior, which make Rahul feel “paralyzed” as his thoughts spiral.

“My eyes start to water again. ‘Is something wrong with me?’

‘No. No, Rahul, nothing is wrong with you. Listen, it’s only if you want.’

‘But you mean a therapist, right?’

‘He’s a therapist, yes.’

‘But doesn’t that mean that something’s wrong with me?’

‘No. It doesn’t. I mean it.’”

This quotation shows the theme of the importance of positive support systems for young people. Rahul’s dad gives Rahul the option of seeking professional help for his mental health in a non-stigmatized fashion. He firmly reassures Rahul that having a mental health disorder does not mean that something is wrong with him.

“I look her in the eyes and take a deep breath. ‘I’m so sorry, Chels.’

She nods. ‘Me too.’

And even though I don’t think she needs to apologize, and even though I haven’t even told her what it is I’m sorry for, just like that it’s all over. Turns out saying sorry isn’t that hard.”

For much of the novel, Rahul took Chelsea’s support for granted. In this quotation, he models how to apologize to a friend, which is an important step to mending relationships after conflict. While saying sorry can feel like a difficult thing to do, this quotation shows that it is worth apologizing and that it is not as hard as it seems.

“Then Brent turns to look at Justin expectantly. Like now that I’ve said it, Justin will side with him or something. But instead, Justin just shrugs, sweat trickling down his cheek.

And when Brent looks back up at me, I see the weirdest expression on his face. I’m not sure if it’s betrayal or anger or embarrassment.”

This quotation occurs during the climax of the book when Rahul finally stands up to Brent. Rahul’s support system sticks beside him after he comes out, showing that friendship, support, and community can grow stronger than bullying and social stigma.

“My pulse is thumping with excitement as this time the Auntie Squad falls in step with Chelsea and Trina, Mom and the aunties throwing down some rockin’ dance moves.

Chelsea really did it, I think. She found a way to bring two cultures together.

There is no way I’m missing out on this next year.”

This quotation explores the theme of figuring out and accepting one’s identity. For much of the novel, Rahul rejected things that he associated with his Indian identity. Here, he realizes how amazing his unique American and Indian identities are.