On Saturday, Kamal tried to get in touch with Rodrigo several times, but Rodrigo didn’t pick up his phone or answer his texts.

Finally, Rodrigo responded with a text that night: Hey. What’s up?

Want to kick the ball around tomorrow? Kamal texted back.

Can’t. I’m going to my cousin’s birthday party. See you Monday.

So instead of practicing with his friend, Kamal decided to spend the day doing some conditioning. He lifted weights in his garage, then spent the afternoon on a ten-mile run.

Kamal felt strong and confident at school on Monday morning. “Let’s get started, everyone,” said Mr. Nguyen as the bell rang for physics class. Students settled into their chairs.

“How was your weekend, Mr. Nguyen?” Kamal asked, winking at Rodrigo. Kamal loved Mr. Nguyen. But as much as Kamal enjoyed the class, it was even more fun to send Mr. Nguyen off on a tangent. Mr. Nguyen loved telling stories, and it was easy to get him distracted.

“I went sky diving!” said Mr. Nguyen. “Can you believe it? Your humble physics teacher jumped out of an airplane at ten thousand feet! What a rush! Have any of you ever done it?”

Justin raised his hand. Of course, thought Kamal. He rolled his eyes.

“I have,” said Justin. “It’s the best, isn’t it? Did you do tandem or solo?”

“Tandem, of course,” said Mr. Nguyen. “It was my first time.”

“Tandem is awesome,” said Justin. “But I do solo now.”

“I would love to go solo,” said Mr. Nguyen. “Let’s talk after class. Maybe you can give me some advice.”

“Sure thing, Mr. Nguyen.”

Kamal couldn’t believe what was happening. Justin’s already screwed things up on the soccer field, he thought. Now it’s like he wants to become best friends with my favorite teacher.

“But, oh, that feeling of stepping out of the plane and just falling through the air,” said Mr. Nguyen. “So amazing.”

“I know, right?” said Justin. “I bet you were calculating the physics of skydiving while you were up there.”

“How did you guess?” More laughter.

Kamal made a disgusted noise under his breath.

“Did you say something, Kamal?” asked Mr. Nguyen.

Justin chuckled. “He doesn’t like me very much.”

“Whatever,” said Kamal.

Justin continued. “I beat him in some soccer drills on Friday. Kamal doesn’t handle losing very well.”

“And I beat you in the ones that counted,” said Kamal sitting up straight in his chair. “The ones where you actually had to kick a soccer ball.”

“Ooh,” said a few of the guys in the room.

“You’re right,” said Justin. “You did. But we’ll see how things go in practice today, am I right Rodrigo?” He turned to Rodrigo.

Rodrigo put a hand over his face and slumped in his chair. Kamal gave him a confused look.

“All right, guys,” said Mr. Nguyen. “Let’s leave all that on the soccer field. There will be no trash-talking or macho chest-thumping in my classroom.” He began to take things out of the box on his desk. “It’s time for our lab. Everybody come gather around. Let’s go.”

Students got out of their seats and walked to the front of the room. Kamal turned to Rodrigo. “What was Justin talking about? ‘We’ll see how things go in practice today?’ What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I’ll tell you later,” said Rodrigo.