After seeing Taj ask Raya to the dance, and failing to do so himself, Daniel describes the experience of “heartache” (49) as he is lying in bed. He compares it to the feeling of being zapped. Heartache is similar and involves the sense of having “messed up” (49), as well as the fear that you will never be happy. However, it does not involve the belief that you might die or destroy the world. On the other hand, being zapped can be temporarily fixed by a ritual, whereas heartache cannot. Nevertheless, Daniel concludes that being zapped is still worse.

Participating in the school football game, but as the back-up kicker, he sees Taj playing properly and Raya cheering him on. He concludes from this embarrassing experience that he needs to seek advice about girls; his older brother, Steve, suggests that Daniel change his personality and his looks. He says that Daniel should build his physique, demonstrate more confidence, and emphasize his intellect rather than struggling to succeed at football. Returning to his room, and about to start writing, Daniel finds an email from a strange address. It says that they are running out of time, and it is signed from a “Fellow Star Child” (58).