Field Guide to the North American Teenager

Norris’s field guide entry mentions fist bumps, inside jokes, and his worries that things won’t be the same.

Norris and Aarti text before he leaves for Vancouver. In Vancouver, Eric rushes Norris through the airport. Norris notices Eric has gotten his ear pierced. After settling into the ski lodge, Norris checks his email. He’s hoping to hear from Aarti, but he can’t run up his cell phone bill with international texting. He has an email from his mom, his dad, Madison, and Liam. All four people wish Norris a good spring break, but there is no email from Aarti.

Eric reveals he’s dating a new student, Marc-André, and has come out to his parents. His dad is upset but slowly coming around. Norris and Eric have their marginalized status in common, as a gay teen and a Black teen in their predominantly Catholic and white schools. Norris congratulates Eric for coming out and compliments the earring.

Norris tells Eric about Liam, Maddie, and Aarti. Eric suggests Austin is where Norris belongs. Norris denies it but considers there is some truth to the statement.