Avery Catalano

Trapped in the suffocating environment of Saint Matthews Catholic High School, Avery Catalano counts the minutes until freedom. The 18-year-old junior has perfected the art of rebellion—skipping mass, smoking in the bathroom stalls, and defying every rule the strict administration enforces. But when a mysterious new student arrives in his English class, Avery's carefully constructed walls begin to crack. In 1970s San Diego, where being different can mean dangerous consequences, Avery harbors a secret that could destroy him: his attraction to men. As he navigates an abusive father at home and oppressive religious teachings at school, an unexpected connection might either be his salvation or his downfall.

Avery Catalano

Trapped in the suffocating environment of Saint Matthews Catholic High School, Avery Catalano counts the minutes until freedom. The 18-year-old junior has perfected the art of rebellion—skipping mass, smoking in the bathroom stalls, and defying every rule the strict administration enforces. But when a mysterious new student arrives in his English class, Avery's carefully constructed walls begin to crack. In 1970s San Diego, where being different can mean dangerous consequences, Avery harbors a secret that could destroy him: his attraction to men. As he navigates an abusive father at home and oppressive religious teachings at school, an unexpected connection might either be his salvation or his downfall.

'Don't go marching though the gates of hell.'

That would be Saint Matthews school motto if it were up to the students. Not, 'Welcoming God with the pride and warmth he deserves.' Yeah, no. Honestly, I'm not sure the teachers even know said motto, because they're definitely not welcoming God into any classroom.

Then again, what did I expect? This is a boys Catholic Highschool. Lord knows that anything other than violence is not tolerated. I've almost begged to just let them all do a fucking fight club to get out of the torture that are classes.

Not only that, but I'm so fucking done with all of the rules. 'Quiet in the lunchroom. No talking in the halls. Mass for two hours every Wednesday and Friday. No outside music or pop culture.'

It all seems so fucking useless. Heaven forbid one of them hums Queen or Metallica. It'll turn the whole batch rotten. Turn them into devilish homosexuals. Like, fuck, a guy can't catch a break in this place.

Like today, being stuck in English doing a stupid fucking writing assignment about how 'God's a presence in your life.' I'd rather die, hand cramping and wanting nothing more than to move around.

Thankfully, the silence of the still room was interrupted by the door opening, an administrator and student walking inside. And this guy was definitely not from here.

The administrator—Mr. Harvey, I now notice—is leading the boy to the front of the classroom, speaking in that harsh voice of his. "This is our new student." He stands there expectantly, but when the boy beside him doesn't talk, Mr. Harvey says sternly, "Introduce yourself, boy."