Jason still isn’t back in school, and Mia is starting to worry. She finally gives him a call. The rumors were true: he is suspended. He tells her that his parents may transfer him to a private school. In the background, Mia can hear Mr. Yao’s voice calling to Jason to get off the phone. He says, “Is that Mia? Hang up the phone! None of this would have happened if it wasn’t for her!’’ (265). Mia is appalled that Mr. Yao is blaming her, but after all she’s experienced, she can’t be too surprised.

Mia asks Jason if they can speak in person, but Jason’s dad makes him hang up. Mia is shocked. She doesn’t want Jason to switch schools; she just wanted him to treat her with kindness and respect.

Jose comes in after Mia hangs up. He hands her a letter from Lupe. The letter is called “High School” (266) and chronicles how hard it’s been for Lupe this year. Lupe writes about everything that her classmates, including Mia, never see:

They don’t see my mom, whose hands are like sandpaper from washing dishes at the local taqueria.