Just as she notices Heather from Ohio sitting alone in the corner, a basketball player accidentally spills his potatoes on her. Neck for Social Studies, and a strange English teacher with stringy, orange and black hair, who she labels “ Hairwoman.” During lunch, Melinda scans the cafeteria for someone to sit with. Melinda is certain that high school will be horrible. Neck insists she sit down, so she grabs a seat next to another lonely girl, “ Heather from Ohio.” Melinda observes that his neck is much larger than his head, and accordingly nicknames him Mr. A teacher with a whistle around his neck approaches her. Not having anyone to sit with, Melinda stands alone in the aisle. Her friend group from last year has disintegrated, and each member has joined a separate clique. As she enters the cafeteria, Melinda describes the various cliques the grade has broken up into.

Merryweather’s mascot, due to complaints of lewdness, has just changed from the Trojans to the Devils. Melinda notices janitors repainting the school sign. By the time the bus has reached its final stop, Melinda is the only person seated alone.Īt Merryweather High, ninth graders are herded into the cafeteria for a freshman orientation. However, as the bus picks up more students, both friend and stranger alike deliberately ignore Melinda.

After analyzing bus seating etiquette-“wastecases” sit in the back, too many people sit in the middle, and young children sit in the front-Melinda decides to take a seat near the front of the bus, figuring that it is her best chance of seeing her friends as they board. It is Melinda Sordino’s first day of ninth grade at Merryweather High School and she is the first one on the school bus.

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