The Best at It

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of anti-gay bias, bullying, racism, and mental illness.

Twelve-year-old Rahul Kapoor and his best friend, Chelsea Wilson, play Just Dance in his basement. Rahul’s grandfather, Bhai, tempts them outside for a race: If Rahul can beat him to the neighbor’s car, Bhai will show them how to do a wheelie in his wheelchair.

Chelsea referees. Bhai gets a head start and tricks Rahul into falling behind. He catches up as they reach the finish line but is distracted when he hears a voice calling their race “pathetic.”

Brent Mason emerges from Justin Emery’s house. He makes fun of Bhai, saying that he “escaped from the nursing home” (7), and mocks Rahul’s running. Rahul notices that Justin got taller and stronger over the summer. Brent tries to get Justin to mock Rahul with him, but Justin just asks Rahul how his summer has been. Rahul thinks that Justin is “perfect” and doesn’t know how he is friends with Brent.

Bhai and Chelsea approach. Justin asks what the music coming from Rahul’s house is, and Bhai explains that Rahul’s dad’s band, Bollywood Supply, plays covers of songs by the band Air Supply.