Third Marking Period (through page 117) Summary

It's cold and Melinda, snug in her bed, oversleeps. She's missed the bus and will have to walk to school. It's not a long walk and she doesn't feel any need to hurry. She decides to stop at the town bakery but sees Andy Evans (IT) coming out of the bakery. He sees her, grins and walks toward her. Feeling like a scared rabbit, she bolts and runs from him. "Why didn't I run like this before when I was a one-piece talking girl?" she wonders.

Safe from IT, Melinda decides to cut school altogether and, in spite of the cold and snow, wanders down Main Street before catching the bus to the mall.

In English class the next day, Hairwoman introduces The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne and explains the use of symbols in...