Genevieve returns from art camp and shows Aaron some of her work. She says that missing him motivated her creatively but they shouldn’t separate that long again. Aaron says he missed her, too, but he feels guilty—he didn’t miss her as much or in the way he thinks he should have. They have sex but Aaron can’t get an erection until he thinks about Thomas running topless in the sprinklers.

Aaron struggles to reconcile his feelings for Thomas with his feelings for Genevieve. He tells himself that Genevieve is more important to him. He tells himself that if he had to make the dragon choice, he would save Genevieve without a second thought because she’s his girlfriend and he and Thomas are just friends.

To make up for Thomas’s terrible last birthday, Aaron throws him a party on his roof. One of the guys brings liquor stolen from their mom. Aaron buys a gift, glowing lanterns, and dollar store cakes, which are all he can afford. Brendan has brought his stereo, and they’re playing music loudly. Brendan says he hopes Aaron throws him this kind of party when it’s his birthday. Aaron goes down the fire escape to get Thomas; they chat, and Aaron is startled when Genevieve follows him to check on them.