A week later, Mr. Kermit announces that the upcoming state science exam is room 117’s “chance to prove that our class can do as well as any other group” (194).

At home, Kiana struggles to understand her science homework. Her baby stepbrother crawls amidst the notes she has spread out on the floor, ripping a sheet. Kiana panics and shouts for Stepmonster, who comes running to pick up the baby and drop off a glass of iced tea for Kiana. But then, the baby drops his action figure in the tea, which helps Kiana grasp a concept she’s been stuck on for hours.

The class takes a practice test, which everyone but Aldo passes. Mr. Kermit praises Aldo’s hard work before Aldo can get mad, and the whole class feels like they’ve made a great accomplishment. The praise reminds Kiana she isn’t really part of the class or school and makes her feel like she’s “keeping a secret from my friends” (198).

On the day of the test, Barnstorm misses the bus. He hobbles along the side of the road until he sees Parker’s pickup truck. Barnstorm steps out in front of the truck, forcing Parker to stop.