The Lomas arrive en masse to Chava’s house and attack him and several other Sangra leaders. They stab Chava repeatedly before bashing in his head with a tire rim.

One day, at school, one of Luis friends tells him that Mr. Humes, a history teacher, called her a whore. Luis confronts Mr. Humes in his classroom before taking the matter to the school principal, who asks Luis to respect his authority and allow him to handle the situation. Luis decides that’s not to his liking and spreads the story to other Mexican students who slash Mr. Humes tires and beat up white students. The school forms a group known as “Communicators” who are tasked with breaking up fights. Luis is among them. While breaking up a fight, Luis is hit himself and chips a tooth. Soon after, a Chicano teacher is fired and Luis is enraged. He stages a walkout, despite other Chicano teachers advising him that it’s an immature response to something he knows nothing about. Luis is persuaded to call off the walkout and puffs up with pride that he has forced people to listen to him.

Luis’ life begins to take shape.