Noughts and Crosses: Chapter 2 Summary & Analysis

Standing outside his house, Callum closes his eyes and tells himself he lives somewhere grand. But when he opens his eyes, his house is still a “rundown hovel.” Callum pushes the shame and anger down and walks in the front door. Mum immediately runs for Callum and asks where he was. Callum ignores her and sits at the table—where his 17-year-old “toad” of a brother, Jude, says Callum was with his “dagger friend.” Callum hates the word and tells Mum he was just walking.

Jude, eating some spilled pasta right off the table, distracts Mum from Callum for a moment. Callum greets Lynette, but she looks down. She and Callum have always been close. But though she’s 20, Lynette has been “a bit simple” since she was in an accident three years ago. She always looks serene, and Callum envies her sometimes. Mum asks Callum again where he was, but Dad changes the subject by asking if Callum is ready for school tomorrow. He’s thrilled his son is going to Heathcroft, but Mum says it’s a mistake: noughts should have their own schools that are just as good as Cross schools. They shouldn’t mix, as Crosses will always treat noughts as second-class citizens.

Callum is shocked to hear Mum say this. Segregation has existed for forever, and what will please the noughts and Crosses? Different planets? Mum and Dad continue to argue, but Callum insists he’ll be fine. As Jude quips that Callum will soon be too good for them, Callum sips his milk. He wishes he could have orange juice, like Sephy has every night, but it’s too expensive. Jude continues to taunt Callum. He’s been unbearable since Callum got accepted to Heathcroft, and it’s a constant struggle to not hit him. Callum wants to escape to the beach with Sephy and thinks of their kiss.  He’s excited to go to school tomorrow. He’ll be able to make something of himself with a “proper education”—and then nothing can stand between him and Sephy.