Avery Row #3

Mark Anderson is known as one of the many homophobes at Avery Row High. However, Mark harbors a secret: he is gay and must conceal it from his homophobic family to avoid being disowned. When he notices Derrick Vernon, Mark develops a crush on him and tries desperately to get Derrick out of his mind, but he fails. Mark is paired with Derrick for an English report, which complicates matters. He wonders how he will manage his emotions around Derrick and vows to hide them as they work together. Mark believed his feelings were under control when an incident revealed his feelings to Derrick. Soon after, they begin seeing each other secretly. Mark and Derrick are happily together until Derrick receives news from his parents that he is moving away from Avery Row. Heartbroken at the thought of losing his true love, Mark feels it is the worst thing that has ever happened to him. After Mark’s emotional and tearful goodbye to Derrick, Mark’s father discovers that Mark is gay and sends him to a gay conversion camp. Mark endures horrific experiences at the gay conversion camp True You that will change him forever. When Mark returns home, he faces mistreatment from his family. He gets through his senior year with support from his only family member, his cousin Christopher Anderson, and neighbor Fabian Lopez. When Mark is falsely accused of a terrible act by his two brothers and cousin, his father violently confronts him. Mark leaves Avery Row, pledging never to return. Afterwards, he encounters people along his journey who aid him in healing from the trauma he has endured. Years later, in Mark’s adulthood, he never forgot the vow he and Derrick made by their favorite tree. Mark wonders if they will ever come together to fulfill their promise to meet by the tree, should they find their way back to each other. He also ponders whether he will reunite with his estranged family. Will Mark reunite with Derrick and his estranged family? Find out in Book 3, Mark’s Secret Love.