In the chapter titled “Encounter #2 with the Rainbow-Haired Girl,” Miles Fall, a young boy with a unique gift, is introduced. He has the ability to see the souls of dogs and communicate with them, which deeply connects him with his loyal companion, Sandro, a black Lab. However, Miles is navigating a troubled phase of his life, avoiding school and the expectations of both his peers and his family. His emotional struggles have led to isolation, as he battles with mental health issues that have distanced him from everything he once found familiar. Despite the outward appearance of being a perfect student, as seen by his family and school, Miles feels like a cosmic mistake, an overwhelming sense of alienation that he cannot escape. Though he rarely cries, he wakes up in the mornings with his pillows damp, the tears flowing silently in the night as he navigates his struggles alone.

As the days go by, Miles’s emotional state continues to worsen, prompting him to quit various clubs and sports that once provided structure in his life. Instead, he finds himself retreating into what he calls the “Gloom Room,” a mental space that reflects his inner turmoil and despair. Despite this, his connection with Sandro becomes a source of comfort and understanding, as both of them face their loneliness and longing together. Sandro, too, has known the pain of loss, having once been bonded with a companion named Beauty. Their shared grief becomes a way for them to understand one another without words, both finding solace in the quiet companionship that allows them to reflect and heal. Their bond deepens, symbolizing how sometimes, even in the darkest moments, there can be a flicker of hope in the understanding between two beings who have been hurt by the world.

As the chapter unfolds, Miles begins to reflect on a pivotal moment in his past, when he shared a transformative kiss with a cook named Nico. This experience brings to the surface feelings that Miles had long buried, leading him to question his understanding of love and identity. For the first time, he feels the stirrings of attraction, not just for boys, but also for the girl he met later in the chapter. This kiss becomes a turning point in his life, forcing him to confront his desires and the complexities of his emotions. His journey of self-discovery begins to take shape, and Miles is forced to reckon with the broader spectrum of his feelings, realizing that love and attraction do not conform to simple labels or definitions. The kiss ignites an internal battle, prompting him to reflect on his feelings of love, the intense emotions he had kept hidden for so long, and the process of figuring out who he really is.

On a particularly hot day, Miles stumbles upon an orange vintage pickup truck, which leads him to meet a girl with vibrant rainbow-colored hair. She’s adorned in tattoos and surrounded by books, and her quirky appearance captures Miles’s attention in a way he hasn’t experienced before. As she sleeps in the truck, Miles feels a surge of curiosity and unfamiliar attraction toward her, something he can’t quite explain. The girl’s presence stirs emotions in him that challenge everything he thought he knew about himself, his desires, and his understanding of love. Before she leaves, she shares a thought-provoking quote by Joseph Campbell, which leaves Miles feeling inspired and thoughtful. Her words spark a deep internal reflection within him, forcing him to reconsider his path forward and the connections he has with others, including those that are unexpected and unfamiliar.

The chapter ends with Miles feeling an intense sense of vulnerability, a feeling he has rarely allowed himself to express. As he contemplates his feelings about love and desire, he begins to admit to himself that he is not as certain of his identity as he once thought. This realization marks a significant shift in his emotional landscape, as he allows himself to embrace his vulnerabilities and acknowledge his uncertainties. Throughout this journey of self-reflection, Sandro remains by his side, offering unwavering loyalty and comfort, a constant reminder that some connections, like the one between a boy and his dog, are pure and unconditional. Miles’s newfound emotional openness sets the stage for his growth and understanding of love, identity, and the complexities of human connection, while his bond with Sandro offers him a stable anchor amid the chaos of his inner world.