Paper Things

Ari sneaks into the school breakfast without being signed up because she is starving. Afterward, she finds a girl named Hannah from her class in the bathroom, and Hannah asks Ari to braid her hair for her. Ari does so, and then Hannah braids Ari’s hair. Ari is relieved that Hannah’s hair is tangly, and Hannah doesn’t seem to judge Ari. Later on, the fifth-grade leadership positions are announced, and Ari doesn’t make the list. She is certain now that she won’t be going to Carter with her friends. In English class, the students discuss civil disobedience and decide to rally together to bring back Crazy Hat Day—something Ari had already been planning to do.

After computer class, Ms. Finch pulls Ari aside and explains that she bought some shoes for her niece that turned out to be too small. She offers the shoes to Ari, who can’t believe her good fortune. They are plaid shoes, and Ari loves them. She thanks Ms. Finch through tears. Everyone compliments Ari’s new shoes, except Gage, who criticizes her for taking a gift. That evening, Gage takes Ari to Chloe’s place, but Chloe seems irritated to see Ari again, and Ari can sense it.