On a Saturday in mid-September, Xiomara goes with Xavier and Caridad to play basketball. Caridad has always been a good friend to both of them. Xiomara notices the boys playing with her shirts off. She finds herself paying more attention to the opposite sex even though their comments to her are often innappropriate due to her curvy figure. Even when Xiomara goes to church, she hears Father Sean talk about how sinful women are. Her father works for the Transit Authority. In her biology class, Xiomara is partnered with a boy named Aman whom she likes. When she tries to tell Caridad about it, Caridad warns her against lusting. Xiomara asks Ms. Galiano about the Poetry Club, and Ms. Galiano shows her an example of a poetry slam. Xiomara loves hearing this woman who is so different from her yet expresses many of the same feelings. Xiomara goes home and practices saying one of her poems in front of her bathroom mirror. When her mom overhears, she says she's reciting Bible verses. At school Xiomara asks Aman if he has heard the new J. Cole, and he tells her he prefers Kendrick Lamar. He suggests they listen to the album together sometime. They decide to meet after school although Xiomara doesn't consider it a date, especially since her mother has barred her from dating until she's out of college. Xiomara prepares by ironing her shirt, which she hates doing, to make sure she looks good. This concludes Part I of the book.