Summary
Melinda has survived the first two weeks of school. Heather has become her friend, of sorts, though they don't have much in common. After school, Melinda is often home alone and communicates through notes with her parents. When Dad gets home from work, Melinda retreats to her room, and lies in her bed in a state between sleeping and waking. She sits up in bed to look at herself in her mirror and, upon seeing her bitten lips (she has picked up the habit of lip-biting), she is disgusted and hides her mirror in the closet.
It is late September and Melinda suffers through another day of gym. She has gym class with Heather and with her former friend Nicole. Nicole is an awesome athlete, beautiful, and friendly to everyone. She even comes close to speaking to Melinda again, but then abstains. Melinda notes that Nicole's sincerity and friendliness makes it difficult to hate her.
In the girls' bathroom one day, Melinda is trying to put in one of her contacts when Rachel comes in. Rachel has reinvented herself, calling herself Rachelle and hanging out with foreign exchange students. She ignores Melinda's attempts at communicating and Melinda longs for a friend, at least as an accessory to help her feel less awkward throughout the day.
Analysis
In these sections, Melinda continues to make fun of her instructors as a way to gain control over her high school experience, you learn more about her family life and see the theme of naming re-emerge. First, Melinda mocks her Spanish teacher and principal in these sections. Her Spanish teacher refuses to speak English to the students, causing a ridiculous game of charades as she tries to pantomime her meaning and the students fling absurd guesses at her. Additionally, the principal, who Melinda calls Principal Principal, also lacks insight, being easily foiled by a student in the hall who does not have a hall pass. These depictions of inept adults reveal how isolated Melinda feels; not only is she friendless, but she has few adults in her life in which she can confide and trust. It is only by giving them nicknames (like Principal Principal) or leaving them nameless (the Spanish teacher) that she is able to exert control on these unhelpful influences in her life.
Melinda's parents do not offer much in the way of adult guidance either. Both parents work and seem content with not interfering with Melinda's life. She exchanges notes with them to communicate and avoids contact with them after they return home from work. Melinda does note that her mother is not afraid to go against the grain of social expectations, indicating that this is a quality Melinda admires as she does not find it in herself.
Melinda is not the only one who sees the power in naming; Rachel has changed her name to Rachelle. By changing the pronunciation of her name, Rachel is trying to create a new life for herself — perhaps indicating that she feels bad for her treatment of Melinda and wants to ignore that part of herself. Melinda sees through Rachel's act and silently mocks it; though she is unable to find a way to reach the old "Rachel" she knows is hiding inside the new "Rachelle."
