Contents
The Cheese Touch
Overview
August realizes many classmates still won’t touch him despite growing used to his presence. A panicked reaction in dance class and a recoiling classmate in science confirm a silent stigma. This deepens August’s awareness of his social isolation, framing it as a “Cheese Touch” that shapes his school experience.
Summary
August notices a new pattern at school: even as peers adjust to how he looks, they avoid touching him. The realization begins crystallizing during dance class, his least favorite, when Mrs. Atanabi tries to pair him with Ximena Chin.
Ximena grows visibly anxious—pale, sweating—and escapes with a bathroom excuse. Though the teacher abandons pairing students, the moment signals to August that contact with him triggers fear.
The next day in his science elective, students crowd the heating plate on one side, leaving August alone on the other. When Ms. Rubin directs Tristan and Nino to join August, both comply without visible complaint, maintaining their usual, reserved friendliness toward him.
During the experiment, August’s hand accidentally brushes Tristan’s for an instant. Tristan jerks away, drops his foil, and rushes to wash his hands, disregarding the disrupted lab. Ms. Rubin scolds him, but the damage is done: August recognizes a quiet taboo around touching him.
He names it the “Cheese Touch,” likening himself to the feared, moldy cheese in Diary of a Wimpy Kid. The label captures his growing understanding that, despite progress, an isolating stigma still defines how many classmates treat him.
Who Appears
- August PullmanNarrator; realizes classmates avoid touching him, framing it as the school’s “Cheese Touch.”
- TristanScience classmate; recoils after accidental hand contact and rushes to wash his hands.
- Ms. RubinScience teacher; notices crowding and moves students to stand with August, scolds Tristan.
- Ximena ChinClassmate; panics when asked to be August’s dance partner, flees with an excuse.
- Mrs. AtanabiDance teacher; attempts to pair August with Ximena before abandoning partner assignments.
- NinoScience classmate; moves to stand by August without complaint during the lab.