Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

Simon now signs his emails as Simon, not Jacques. Simon writes to Blue that while he understands why they were writing anonymously, and he doesn’t want to exert pressure, but he wants to know who Blue is. Simon is uncomfortable that Blue knows who he is, but not the other way around. Simon signs “Love, Simon” (208).

Blue says he is sorry. He also says, “it looks like things are working out the way you wanted them to” (208). He only signs his name. Simon responds by questioning what Blue means. He doesn’t understand what he means by “things working out” the way he wants them to (208).

Two days later, Simon repeats that he doesn’t know what Blue is talking about, because “pretty much nothing seems to be working out the way I want it to” (209). He says he understands that Blue doesn’t want to meet and doesn’t want to text, and if Blue isn’t attracted to him, he can understand that. He asks if they can continue just emailing the same way, because Blue is his best friend. Simon signs this email “Simon” with no “love.”

Simon is feeling depressed about Blue, listening to music by himself on the weekend. He tries to figure out who Blue is from the clues he has about his identity, but he realizes he just doesn’t know that much about people’s personal lives. He is upset that Blue knows who he is but doesn’t want to be with him.

On Monday, when he gets to school, there is a bag with an Elliott Smith shirt hanging from his locker. On blue-green paper, there’s a note about Elliott Smith. Simon realizes it is from Blue. He wants to put the shirt on, but he feels self-conscious, as Blue knows who he is, but not vice versa. He sees Cal, which makes him feel angry. He realizes he won’t ever hang out with Cal, because he’s in love with this boy who isn’t brave enough to show himself.

At the end of the week, the musical is performed for classes during the school day and Simon puts on his costume. Abby puts eyeliner on him and says he looks “hot.” Simon is fascinated with how his eyes look (216). At lunch, he wears his eye make-up to the cafeteria, which he likes both because he likes how he looks and because he likes being identified with the cast.

When they go back to the auditorium, Ms. Albright tells Simon and Martin that someone has vandalized their names on the cast list with an anti-gay slur, and she asks if she should cancel the afternoon show. Simon says no, and Martin apologizes to him again. Simon feels sick of this, even though he knows he shouldn’t care what ignorant people think. Ms. Albright reminds the student audience about the zero-tolerance behavior policy in the student handbook, and the afternoon show begins.

Later, Simon wonders if Martin could be Blue, since he has the same name as Martin Van Buren, a former president. The possibility upsets him. Abby comes into the dressing room and says she and Nick are taking Simon out. Simon feels guilty that they’re not taking Leah, but he acknowledges that it would change the dynamic, making things more awkward.

Simon, Abby, and Nick drive to intown Atlanta, 20 minutes away. They shop in quirky shops and feminist bookstores. They go to a restaurant with a big patio and rainbow flags, and Simon realizes it caters to gay customers. Simon meets an attractive college student named Peter who flirts with him and buys him drinks. Simon, Abby, and Nick hang out with Peter and his friends that evening, but when Peter finds out Simon is 17 and in high school, he tells him good-bye, to “Go be seventeen” (232).

Simon, drunk, is in a good mood as they walk back to the car. Abby wants to spend the night at her house, but Simon insists on going back to his house for his Elliott Smith shirt. Abby and Nick agree to take him home. When Simon comes into the house, his parents angrily realize he is drunk. Simon asks his dad if he prefers that he lie about things. He points out now his dad can’t make gay jokes anymore, like he has his whole life. His parents tell Simon he is grounded and take away his phone.

The next week at school, Abby has been worried about not hearing from Simon all weekend; he updates her about being grounded. Abby and Nick are holding hands, and Simon learns they got together Friday night after he went home.

It is Morgan and Bram’s birthday, so there is cake at lunch. Leah, who usually brings the cake, isn’t there, and Simon wonders where she is. He can’t text her because he doesn’t have a phone. He doesn’t see Leah all day the next day either. When he does see her on Thursday, he hugs her and asks where she has been. Leah expresses anger that Simon, Nick, and Abby went out Friday night without her. She refuses to talk to Simon about it and makes a noise “like an aborted sob” that haunts Simon as he goes to his dress rehearsal (245).