From Openly Straight : As I stuffed my second empty duffel bag into the dorm closet, I decided on a shower, since I smelled like my expiration date had come and gone weeks ago. A guy zoomed by the doorway, then I heard the footsteps slow and stop. "Hey, guy," he said. "We're gettin' a game going downstairs, do you . . . holy Jesus!" "What?" I said. "You look just like Schroeder." "From Peanuts?" "What? No. This kid. Graduated last year. You could be his brother. I'm the first to tell you that?" the guy said, revealing a flawless set of pearly, white teeth. I smiled back, dazzled by him. I hoped I wasn't blushing. "You're the first to tell me anything. You're the first person I've met here." "You're kidding. Well, we're playing touch football, could use another player or two," he said. "You comin'?" "Um, sure," I said. Showering could definitely wait. Excerpted from Openly Straight by Bill Konigsberg All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.