26 Summary

At lunch, Matt tells Camelia he got a 98 percent on his French quiz. He tells Camelia that Ben has been following around a freshman girl. He also talks about scholarships, but Camelia stops paying attention because Ben walks in. Matt reveals that everyone's parents are calling the school to get Ben kicked out. Across the cafeteria, John Kenneally and his soccer buddies begin tailing Ben. They sneak up on Ben at his table, and dump tomato soup down his shirt. Camelia goes and sits with Ben. She also helps clean him up. Everyone is watching and whispering, and Ben says Camelia shouldn't commit social suicide. Ben tells her to meet him that night, and he leaves.

26 Analysis

Despite all of the evidence that is mounting against Ben, Camelia still refuses to stay away from him. Indeed, she comes to his aid in the cafeteria following...