Melinda Sordino lives in Syracuse, New York, and she goes to Merryweather Elementary School. She is in the first grade.

On the last day of school during play time, an older boy named Andy Evans came up to Melinda. Melinda thought she had just made another friend, because he was being very nice to her. Whenever they were out of sight, Andy knocked Melinda down, then he pinned her down and beat her up.

The next school year everyone bullied Melinda for getting Andy Evans in trouble. The only friend she had was the new girl Heather. Melinda was afraid to speak up, so Heather did most of the talking.

The first day of second grade was terrible! In the cafeteria, one of the P.E. warriors flung potatoes on her shirt. Melinda was embarrassed, and while fleeing the cafeteria, one of Melinda’s teachers, Mr. Neck, got her in trouble for wandering the halls.

All of Melinda’s classes were super boring except for one. Art was a very good class for Melinda, but for her year round art project Melinda had been told to draw a tree. Melinda tried to get something else to draw, but she had already chosen her destiny.

Weeks go by, and Melinda is struggling to maintain her grades. Also, she is too afraid to talk to any of her friends from last year.

Luckily, Melinda finds an old janitor’s closet that has been abandoned. She can hide in there when she is scared. Also, she stole passes from Hairwoman, her english teacher.

Every time Melinda sees Andy Evans she is reminded of how much pain she was in. He tries to talk to her, but she doesn’t ever respond. Also, Melinda’s best friend from the start of the year, Heather, said she doesn’t want to be Melinda’s friend anymore.

Melinda decides to skip school for a couple of days, because she needs a break. During this time, she went to a hospital, but she got in and out without being noticed.