One kid in Rearden is named Gordy. He is someone who knows he’s smarter than everyone else. He is big and tough. He likes to be alone because he cannot find someone who understands things like he does. Junior is the first person he opens up to and takes interest in. Gordy is the first person that is kind to Junior when he first transfers to Reardan. Junior is not accepted anywhere he goes, whether it was because of his glasses and his brain injury or because he is Native American. He and Arnold become good friends after Gordy discovers Arnold’s intelligence in class. Gordy is a relatively cold person and Arnold seems like him because his mannerisms remind him of Rowdy. Gordy teaches Arnold to approach life with what he called a “metaphorical boner” by which he means one should always approach a learning experience with excitement.

Roger is part of Arnold’s new group of friends at Rearden High School. He is an athletic and popular student. He started out as a bully who made racist jokes and comments. One day, Arnold got fed up and punched Roger in his face. After that lunch day Roger held Arnold in high respect and they became really close friends. They  play together on the basketball team. After Junior and Penelope start to date, Roger becomes Junior’s  confidante. He often drives Junior home from school when he does not have a ride.