A month after the senior year begins, Jean's dad, who was increasingly depressed after losing his job as a tailor, attempts suicide by stabbing himself in front of his wife during an argument- and then blames his family, including JEAN, for his despair. This tragic, horrifying event puts tremendous strain on Jean and Maria's relationship. Jean, wants desperately to reconnect with his dad, MARIA is trying to be supportive but she realizes that this "could either make or break, this relationship".
JET is openly, happily gay. As he puts it, "the biggest queer on campus." He's also Filipino and living with his extended family. We first meet him through his parents, who complain about his all-night partying and lack of discipline, but they clearly love and support him. They live in the North Valley, a distant suburb, where they moved to get Jet away from the influence of the neighborhood around Fairfax. The plan hasn't worked.
When Jet finally gets home, he is confronted by his parents. He promises this year will be different, he wants to prove to himself that he can get good grades, and... he's in ROTC. "You know what? I can be gay and do anything I want, " Jet muses.
KENDRA is upset. She doesn't want to be filmed with the other kids on the school bus, many of whom have developmental disabilities. She has a hard enough time as it is not being lumped into a "retarded" category. "It's not a what I am, it's a who I am."
Game 2 -- the first league game -- is another heartbreak when Fairfax throws away what should be an easy win. DERARD, the quiet, calm leader, finally explodes. "If you guys don't want to win I advise y'all to just quit now!"
Jean, who wants desperately to reconnect with his dad who has just gotten out of the hospital, has an emotional reunion/confrontation at his sister's Quinceañera (her fifteenth birthday, and an important rite of passage in Mexican culture). And as Maria begins to fear that Jean is being pulled away from her by his family, they have an emotional fight -- and he walks out on her.
