The Best at It

The next morning at school, Justin finds Rahul to apologize for Brent’s behavior. Justin confesses that he was only embarrassed because he was so nervous about the audition. Rahul is surprised that someone like Justin gets nervous.

Rahul panics when he realizes that he forgot to do his math homework. Even though the first bell rings for class, he sits down in the hallway to complete it. He finishes at the second bell, and Justin tells him that his math skills are amazing.

After the last period, Rahul asks the math teacher, Mr. Hayden, if it’s too late to join Mathletes. Mr. Hayden says that he is glad to have him and is optimistic about the team’s chances to make it to the state championships.

At the Activities Fair, Rahul sits with the Mathletes, trying to get recruits. When he leaves to get them cookies, he and Chelsea pass the Sadie Hawkins table. Though they went together the previous year, Chelsea asks if they should ask other people this year. He asks if it’s because she wants to ask David, and she ends the conversation.

Back at the Mathletes table, the only other student of Indian descent, Jai Parikh, joins. Rahul is irritated, thinking about how the situation will look to Brent.

In the weeks before winter break, Rahul works hard to catch up with the Mathletes. When break starts, Rahul, Chelsea, and Arun accompany Rahul’s parents to the mall for Christmas shopping.

While in line for Arun to meet Santa, Brent tries to cut in front of them with his seven-year-old sister. When Chelsea says that he has to wait in line like everyone else, Brent tells Rahul that “[their] people” shouldn’t celebrate Christmas. Brent and Chelsea begin arguing in raised voices until Brent’s sister starts to cry. Brent’s dad joins, furious. Brent looks afraid as his dad scolds him.

Back at school, the Mathletes struggle with prep questions as they prepare for their district match against Prairieville. They get the correct set of numbers but forget to multiply them for the product, failing the question.

David compliments Rahul’s work, but Rahul feels a sense of failure. Chelsea asks David to the Sadie Hawkins dance, and he accepts, which makes Rahul feel left out.

That night, Rahul engages in many checking behaviors. The next morning, he is nervous and exhausted. Mr. Hayden thinks that this might be the first district match where Greenville can win against Prairieville. In the individual competition, Rahul gets stuck on one problem and can’t mentally move on, making him miss the last problem entirely.

At lunch, Mr. Hayden says that if Rahul got 29 out of 30 questions right, he did a great job. Rahul’s team tries to console him, but he feels inexplicably angry at them. During the team competition, another student makes a racist comment about their team having two members of Indian descent and one of “Chinese” descent. Jenny corrects him, saying that she is Japanese, and Jai stands up for him and Rahul. The boy implies that their families are terrorists, which drives Rahul to defend them, too. When the competition begins, Rahul and his team are motivated to work together.

After the competition, the host announces that their team is advancing to the state competition. When they announce individual winners, Rahul gets first place.

On the ride back with the team, Rahul and the rest of the Mathletes fall asleep. When he wakes up, Jenny joins him and compliments him for standing up to the student who made racist comments. She asks Rahul to the Sadie Hawkins dance. He agrees, if his parents say yes. He had hoped that someone would ask him but now feels scared.

The next day, Rahul’s mom is with the aunties in the kitchen, planning the Bazaar and showing off Rahul’s medals. His dad is playing music with the uncles. When Vinay Uncle says that it’s not as if Rahul won the Olympics, Rahul’s dad stresses what an accomplishment Rahul has achieved.

In front of everyone, Rahul’s mom says that Jenny’s mom, Mrs. Ikeda, called to ask permission for Jenny and Rahul to go to the dance together and that it’s okay with her. Rahul leaves to call Jenny. Jenny apologizes for her mom calling his house, and then they plan their costumes according to the theme “Dynamic Duos.”

She thinks that they should go as something math related and invites Rahul over to plan. He suddenly thinks about having to dance with Jenny in public. He says that he’ll go in costume but can’t come over. Jenny says that she’ll get her parents to help instead.

When the principal announces the Mathletes’ victory on the day of the dance, there is little applause. They are slightly more excited when she announces Rahul’s individual win. Chelsea stands up and cheers. A few people, including Justin, join her, sparking a standing ovation.

Rahul and Jenny go to the dance as a compass and protractor. Chelsea and David are dressed as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, respectively, and Rahul is shocked that David is okay being seen in heels and a dress. Jenny compliments Rahul’s outfit, but he doesn’t return the compliment. While David and Chelsea dance all night, Rahul and Jenny sit in chairs.

Rahul notices Justin, dressed as Spider-Man. Brent sees him looking and asks if Jenny knows about Rahul’s crush. Chelsea pulls Rahul away. She asks what Brent said and if Rahul is okay. He begins to try and tell her something but can’t finish, prompting her to gently finish the sentence, asking if he is gay. Rahul cries in Chelsea’s arms.

She asks if he likes Justin, and he says that he stares at Justin because he wants to be “like” Justin. They hear a sound in the hallway, making Rahul panic and blame Chelsea.