Fish in a Tree

A few days later, Ally gets to school and discovers that Mr. Daniels has redone the seating chart. Ally is in the front row next to Keisha now. She thinks that Keisha can write and bake, while Ally can do neither. Ally worries all morning that Keisha doesn't like her and finally blurts that she doesn't mind being Keisha's friend. Annoyed, Keisha says that Ally doesn't need to do her any favors. Ally can't figure out what to say. The silence grows long and awkward, and Ally remembers how Grandpa always knew what to say.

Out of the blue, Ally asks Keisha if she likes eggs. Keisha seems incredulous, but Ally keeps going and talks about all the ways she likes to eat eggs. Keisha turns to search for something in her desk, which Ally knows is a polite way of ignoring her. She feels as though she's falling down the rabbit hole, just like Alice in Alice in Wonderland.

At lunch, Shay and Jessica invite Ally to sit with them. Ally doesn't want to, but she's tired of sitting alone and envious of the friendship bracelets the girls wear. Ally sees the bracelets as proof that someone cares, and she desperately wants to be a part of something, so she accepts. Ally checks her seat to make sure it's not booby trapped before sitting between Shay and Jessica. She notes their coy smiles.

Jessica points to Albert and everyone starts laughing. Ally doesn't understand why; Albert is dressed in his usual uniform of jeans and the Flint t-shirt. Shay finally points to Albert's sneakers, which Albert cut the backs out of. Shay and Jessica call Albert over and tease him about being poor and wearing slippers. Albert insists he'd just rather buy a chemistry set than shoes. Shay suggests they wear robes tomorrow, Jessica supports this, and Ally thinks that Shay is underhandedly teasing Jessica too and testing how far Jessica will follow her.

Turning to Ally, Shay asks if Ally will join them in wearing robes and what she thinks of Albert's shoes. Ally feels as though she's being interrogated. She considers sticking up for Albert but knows Shay won't like it. She says the shoes look dopey and feels immediately awful. Albert, however, seems unperturbed. He points out that all three girls are wearing red shirts and notes that any crewmember on Star Trek who wears a red shirt never appears again. This makes everyone laugh. Max says Start Trek isn't a good TV show, which stops Albert in his tracks.

Shay tells Albert that he doesn't have to care about his appearance, but everyone who has to look at him will suffer. Albert nonchalantly says that he doesn't care what Shay thinks and walks away. Ally wishes she were more like him and wants to be better. She reasons that at least she's not mean before realizing that she just was. Ally knows now that there are worse things than being lonely.