The Total Eclipse of Nestor Lopez

Nestor joins the trivia club and shows up to Miss Humala’s classroom during lunch. While he waits for Maria Carmen and Talib, he writes a letter to his father. He considers telling his father about the strange events that have occurred so far in New Haven but decides against it in case it alarms him.

Miss Humala tries to talk to Nestor about being new to the school. Miss Humala is new as well and is only in her second year of teaching in New Haven, after moving to New Haven for a “fresh start.” Miss Humala’s friendliness is surprising since she’s such a strict teacher. Maria Carmen and Talib say she used to be nice but recently started acting differently.

When Maria Carmen and Talib arrive, the group begins practicing animal trivia in preparation for the trivia finals in May. Nestor wonders if he’ll still be in New Haven then and worries about his budding friendships with Maria Carmen and Talib, worrying he’ll get close to them just to have to say goodbye.

The group is interrupted by a fourth student—Brandon. Miss Humala has made him join the club to raise his grade.