Vinnie tightens his fists before relaxing them again. Sunil's hand is clutching Pepper's, so Vinnie clutches his own hand to make up for it. More accurately, he claws at his own hand, leaving faint white marks on his palm.

Vinnie has no idea why he's so angry. He has an inkling, though, that is has to do with Pepper and Sunil. As they walked to school this morning, the two of them had awkwardly announced that they were dating. Penny was delighted, while Zoe had said that it was "about time." Russell and Minka congratulated them, but didn't seem to care otherwise.

Vinnie's first reaction was shock. Sunil—his best friend since third grade—had started dating a girl, and hadn't rushed to tell him. And Pepper of all girls. Last time Vinnie checked, Pepper and Sunil didn't get along well.

But shock quickly faded into anger, and Vinnie is struggling to figure out why as he ignores the happy, joyous squeals of all the girls who have wanted Sunil and Pepper together since forever. Pepper does not look impressed, and Vinnie notices her grip on Sunil's hand loosen a bit.

There's really nothing wrong with Pepper. Pepper and Vinnie have been friends for nearly a year now. Vinnie likes Pepper, he really does. He just doesn't understand why she's dating Sunil. Pepper always acts like Sunil drags her down, and half of the time Sunil is intimidated by her. Everything about them being "Pepper and Sunil," just doesn't make sense to Vinnie, and he can't understand why everyone was so happy about it.

"Vinnie?" says a voice from beside him. Penny is by his side, staring at him with a worried look on her face. "What's wrong?" Of course Penny would know. She's always been insanely good at reading people.

"To heck if I know," Vinnie mutters, stuffing his hands in his pockets. He stares at his feet, mostly as an way to tear his eyes away from Sunil and Pepper. Maybe if he knew just why he was so angry, he could tell Penny, and she could make him feel better. But he doesn't know why he's so angry, and that makes him even angrier.

Vinnie risks a glance up when the group stops, and what he sees makes him angrier than ever. Just as Pepper's about to leave—presumably to follow Russell into the library—Sunil leans in and pecks her on the cheek.

Sunil's lips touch Pepper's cheek. Vinnie almost screams, but the sound shrivels up in his throat, coming out as a noise that sounds unfamiliar to him. He sounds weak and helpless, and it scares him. From the corner of his eye, he spots Penny turn towards him, looking alarmed. "Vinnie?" she repeats; hardly a whisper. Vinnie doesn't answer.

Sunil turns around, and as he reaches Vinnie, he grabs his wrist, dragging him along. Vinnie's breath hitches in his throat and refuses to move. "I think it would be best to go," Sunil mumbles, his dark cheeks tinted an unusual shade of red.

The truth hits Vinnie like a hammer. He glances back, and his eyes meet Penny Ling's. His head spins, and he can hardly be sure he mouthed "I'm gay," until Penny's eyes widen, and then she smiles and nods.