Dear Martin

Manny claims that he can see that Justyce and SJ have feelings for each other, but Justyce gets exasperated and tells Manny that it doesn't matter because he can't date a white girl for fear of his mother's reaction. Manny thinks that is "the dumbest thing [he's] ever heard" until Justyce tells him that he may be getting back together with Melo. Manny advises Justyce that he shouldn't pass up a good thing with SJ because of "something as stupid as race" (74), asking Justyce what Dr. King would do in the same situation. Manny confides in Justyce that he's nervous about going to Morehouse College because he'll be going from an "all-white world to an all-black one overnight" (73). 

Justyce can barely focus on anything aside from the upcoming state debate tournament. SJ suggests they argue about racial profiling and "The Myth of the Superpredator" (78). Justyce has reservations, wondering if that topic will lose them the tournament and whether he wants to be the "black guy 'accused of playing the race card' at a state tournament" (79). However, SJ explains that even if they don't win the tournament, they'll be doing a good thing getting the information out there. Justyce concedes, in part because he can't seem to say no to SJ.

On the day of the tournament, Justyce has trouble focusing. His feelings for SJ have intensified. Justyce and SJ rattle off statistics and facts to buoy their argument, and the judges are engrossed. As they argue, Justyce realizes that he needed to speak about this topic in a public setting. When they get backstage, people swarm them with congratulations, and it all feels surreal to Justyce. A short time later, the participants return to their seats to hear the results. As names are announced, Justyce and SJ cling to one another. When their names are announced as state champions, they continue to hold on.

Justyce explains that after winning the state tournament, he moved to kiss SJ. When he did, she turned and started looking for Doc. Then, she avoided him the remainder of the evening, didn't speak to him on the drive home, and said goodbye in an overly formal manner when she dropped him at the dorms. Justyce is completely confused by her behavior, especially because recently their "chemistry was off the charts" (83). Justyce doesn't know what to do, and it's affecting his eating, sleep, and focus. Justyce acknowledges that he can't force the issue. 

Justyce has trouble sleeping, in part because of his situation with SJ, but also news breaks that Tavarrius Jenkins, an African-American teenager who was shot by a police officer while helping a white lady in her Lexus, died. Justyce goes to Doc's classroom to talk about it, but SJ is already there crying, so Justyce leaves without getting to talk to him.

Manny shows up at Justyce's dorm to tell him that they're going to Blake's birthday party that evening. As Manny gets ready, Justyce starts to drink and think about SJ. When Manny emerges from the shower, he notices that Justyce has been crying and divulges that he knows about SJ's rejection of Justyce's move. Despite Justyce's protestations that he isn't upset, Manny marvels that it must be love. Justyce shifts conversation to the death of Tavarrius Jenkins and reveals that he thinks about how the same fate could have been his. Manny stops Justyce from drinking and ends the conversation, saying that it's obvious that Justyce needs a distraction. Justyce is upset that Manny is more concerned with his social calendar than the injustice of Jenkins' death.

Justyce drinks a lot on the way to the party. As he arrives, the racist lawn jockeys and posters with white actors in blackface infuriate him. Blake approaches Justyce and Manny to ask if they'd help him sexually exploit a Black girl at his party and uses the n-word freely. Justyce accuses Blake of being a racist, citing the objects in his home and how problematic his request was. Jared jokes that Justyce "grew up in the hood [and] he's gonna call up his gangsta homies to ride through" (92), and Justyce loses it. Before he knows it, a fight has broken out and Manny is holding him back. Manny tries to get Justyce to calm down, but Justyce thinks Manny should be upset, too. When Manny continues to defend his white friends, Justyce calls him a sellout and leaves.

As Justyce walks, he realizes he's drunk and lost in this neighborhood of giant houses. Manny pulls up in his Range Rover and tells Justyce to get in so he can take him home. Manny demands he get in if their friendship is important to him, but Justyce turns and walks the other way.