Summary

Shirley has no friends still. This provokes her into trying to rationalize that she is much happier without friends. She knows she is just lying to herself to make herself feel better. Shirley is on her way to class one day when she walks face-first into the school bully, Mabel. Mabel insults her and then beats her up, effectively giving her two black eyes. Shirley’s parents want to go to the police but Shirley won't rat out Mabel. When Shirley comes back to school Mabel is nice to her for not telling on her, and the two become friends. Mabel invites her to play baseball and Shirley ends up hitting a home run. Mabel is the biggest and scariest girl in school and now Shirley is her good friend. This elevates Shirley's status overnight.

Analysis

Shirley in this chapter meets Mabel. Mabel is...