Two Boys Kissing

Peter and Neil continue their day at a bookstore in Clinton. Peter’s friend Simon sends him a link to Harry’s and Craig’s feed. Peter shows Neil; though they don’t know the boys, Peter is impressed with what they’re attempting. Neil, however, notices that Simon called Peter “beautiful” in the text, and he asks Peter about it. They argue about whether it was too flirty. Neil isn’t really afraid that Peter is cheating on him, but he fears that one day, Peter might want to. Peter, however, feeling attacked, goes down the street to pick up coffee and give himself a chance to cool off. When Peter returns, Neil apologizes using book covers, arranging their titles to spell out the message. Peter thinks the gesture is sweet and goes to find books to write a response to Neil. He chooses books that tell Neil how much he loves him. Peter’s mom comes to pick them up, and they log back on to watch the livestream of the kiss on Peter’s phone.

Cooper leaves Walmart and goes to a Starbucks a few towns away, so that he can be as anonymous as possible. He flips through profiles on the dating app until he sees one that interests him: a 23-year-old man with the username “Antimatter.” Cooper waits for Antimatter to contact him, but when he doesn’t, Cooper messages him first.

Avery wonders if Ryan will ever kiss him. They’ve been on the boat for hours and it’s getting hot, so Ryan suggests that they go back in. They row to the dock, and Ryan helps Avery out of the canoe, holding his hand. Just as Avery thinks they’re about to kiss, Ryan’s aunt comes out of the house and walks over to them. They move apart, but they keep holding hands. She offers the boys some refreshments and invites them in. 

Two thousand people now watch the livestream, and another hour has passed. Harry and Craig respond to comments from their phones while they kiss. They find that people are watching from all over the world. It’s starting to get hot, and Harry’s feet hurt. He signals to Smita to bring the umbrella, and she uses it to shield them from the sun, avoiding blocking the camera for the live stream. The song “Dream a Little Dream of Me” comes on, which reminds Harry of the movie Beautiful Thing. He reminds Craig of it by drawing the letters “BT” on Craig’s back, and they begin dancing together, maintaining lip contact. Harry’s father and others start dancing along with them. While they’re slow dancing, Harry sees Craig’s mother, and stops. Craig’s mother calls Craig’s name, confused about what’s happening; Craig had told her he was on a camping trip. She tries to ask him, but he can’t stop kissing to tell her. Mrs. Ramirez and Smita try to tell her that they’re trying to break the world record, but she is shocked and starts to cry. Tariq brings Craig a marker and some paper, and Craig writes: “I’m gay, Mom. I’m gay…I can’t stop now. I’m sorry” (81).

Craig’s mother asks Smita if Harry is Craig’s boyfriend, and Smita explains as best as she can that they’re kissing to normalize two boys kissing. Mrs. Ramirez tries to help Craig’s mother process things, but she isn’t receptive. Craig knows that his mother isn’t taking it well, and he holds tightly to Harry as they kiss, tears streaming down his face. Tariq stands up to Craig’s mother for him, and Smita takes her hand. Craig breaks down in sobs, but Harry holds him, and keeps their mouths together.