Digger is a high school junior from New England who works harder than anyone else he knows. When he finally gets his chance to shine on the Warfield High varsity soccer team, he is thrilled. Later that year, his soccer coach names him “Most Improved Play,” and Digger finally feels proud of himself. Later in the school year, a new student arrives from Honduras named Carlos. Digger and Carlos quickly become friends. Digger likes Carlos’ confidence and grit, and remarks how difficult it must be to have to go to a new school and do homework in a language that isn’t your first language. Digger introduces Carlos to his close group of friends, and they all quickly grow to love Carlos as well. When one of the other varsity soccer players gets recruited for the Olympic Development Program, Digger suggests that Carlos join the team in his place. Carlos proves himself a natural, and they begin a winning streak. However, the school is rocked when a student named Alice commits suicide, and it clearly affects Carlos. The school institutes a new program where students can leave notes in boxes called “Alice Boxes” around the school if they think that anyone is in danger. Digger and Carlos spend more time together, and Carlos bonds with Digger’s family. Digger notices that everyone loves Carlos, from students to parents to total strangers. When prom season rolls around, Digger wants to ask Katie to the dance. Before he gets the chance, Katie tells Digger that she wants to go to the prom with Carlos. Digger is hurt and jealous, and resents Carlos. By the end of the summer, Digger and Carlos speak less. However, they bond again at a team campfire party where Digger airs his jealousy and Carlos talks about how his relationship with Katie ended quickly. When the cops raid their party, Digger and Carlos make a harrowing escape, and Carlos explains to Digger that there were problems with his family’s papers, and how if he got arrested they would likely get deported back to Honduras, where he and his family would be in danger. When soccer begins again, Digger is devastated to see that the player who had left to go train for the Olympics the previous year had returned, putting him back on the bench. He is angry and jealous again, as Carlos and his friends all retain their positions on the team and Digger is left on the sidelines. Digger promised Carlos that he wouldn’t tell anybody that Carlos was undocumented, but he is so hurt by seeing Carlos have so much love and success that, in a fit of anger, Digger writes a mean and accusatory note about Carlos and puts it in the Alice Box. Soon after, things get better for Digger. He reclaims his spot on the soccer team, and they have a successful season. At one of their games, Carlos’ mother and sister show up unexpectedly. They pull Carlos off the field, and everyone watches, unable to do anything to help, as they leave without saying a word to any of the other players. This is the last time Digger sees Carlos. As time passes, Digger worries about Carlos and what could have happened to him, and hopes that he is doing well at another school, and that his family is safe. As the story concludes, Digger thinks about how things have started going really well for him, and that he is excited for the future, but that he still misses his friend.