The school organizes a surprise pretest to assess the students’ learning, and Jeff worries about failing it. In English class, Tad makes fun of another student’s journal entry, and Miss Palma gets angry at him for minimizing other people’s struggles simply because he has faced bigger challenges. Jeff tells his friend that he could try being nice, so Tad makes a pointed effort to be polite to everyone except Jeff.

Jeff writes another email to Steven, but he does not send this one either. He tells Steven about Christmas break and exchanging gifts with his girlfriend. He also describes how elated he was when Lindsey asked him about his limp with curiosity and kindness.

Back at school, Jeff is told that he failed his test. The guidance counselor explains to Jeff that his parents may have reason to complain about him not receiving extra time or accommodations during standardized testing. Tad is absent for a week because he is undergoing medical tests out of town. Jeff, who is planning to go to Lindsey’s, tells a white lie to his parents about going to Tad’s for his usual tutoring.