The next day, Parker’s mom drives Parker to school because she has a meeting with his grandmother’s social worker at the senior center. As a result, Parker is early instead of being late. There’s no one in room 117 yet, so he goes next door to Ms. Fountain’s room. She offers him a Hershey’s Kiss and they chat about the returned gecko. When Ms. Fountain’s students start to arrive, one tells Parker, “you’re not in this class” (82), and Parker leaves feeling dejected.

In the hall, he finds Kiana crouched outside room 117. Inside, Mr. Kermit is having a heated conversation with the principal, Mrs. Vargas, over the intercom. Mrs. Vargas wants to exclude room 117 from Spirit Week, but Mr. Kermit sticks up for them, saying the principal is “punishing them for something they haven’t done yet” (83). The principal doesn’t change her mind, and the conversation ends. Kiana sees this as proof that Mr. Kermit cares about them, but Parker isn’t convinced.

An issue with her mom’s film means Kiana will be in Greenwich an extra two weeks. While talking to her mom over Skype, Kiana lets Mr.