Nora notices a dead squirrel on her way to school the next day, and she’s unsettled by the way other students cheer every time a vehicle runs over it. Nora’s homeroom teacher, Mrs. Noyes, tells her to report to Dr. Trindler’s office at the end of the school day. Stephen sits next to Nora during silent reading time and asks about yesterday’s meeting. He says that their classmate Jenny Ashton claims she saw Nora’s parents dragging her out of the principal’s office, crying. Nora exclaims loudly that Jenny lied, prompting Mrs. Noyes to frown at her. Nora explains what really happened and how Dr. Trindler wants to run additional tests with her, and Stephen says, “But you’re not dumb. […] Even I know that, and I really am dumb” (61). Nora shoves him, angrily demanding that he stop talking about himself like that. Mrs. Noyes notices the disruption again and gives Nora a final warning.

After class, Charlotte Kendall approaches Nora at her locker, offering to help her with classwork so that she doesn’t fall back a grade. Nora decides that Charlotte only has good intentions, so she thanks and reassures her. Nora recognizes that while her grades are part of a bigger plan, her classmates assume she is in crisis and sincerely want to help.