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Seth and Adam glanced at each other. Seth was determined not to tell. He didn’t believe in squealing on his friends.
When the bullies confront Adam and Seth, they demand to know who flicked the cigarette butt on their car. Up to this point in the story, Seth has been the lesser partner in his unequal friendship with Adam. He has fawned over Adam’s tough-guy image while feeling himself to be inferior in his masculinity. However, when confronted with true danger, Seth shows a strength that Adam does not have. He is loyal and willing to be hurt before he would betray his friend.
He pushed Seth’s face down until it actually pressed against the cool glass. Seth could feel a spasm in his chest as his lungs cried for air. But he clamped his mouth closed. No way was he going to give that guy the satisfaction of seeing him lick that spot.
The driver believes that Seth threw the cigarette butt that hit his car’s windshield. Throwing Seth violently onto the car’s fender and forcing his face to the windshield, the bully demands that Seth lick it clean. Seth is repulsed by the idea. Despite the pain, Seth shows incredible fortitude by refusing to do it. His resistance comes less from his disgust at the thought of licking a dirty windshield and more from his unwillingness to submit to bullying. Seth demonstrates an inner strength that may surprise readers since he has been submissive to Adam throughout the story. Readers can conclude that Adam would not have the courage to resist if their places were reversed.
