It is the first day of school at Austin High School. Ari’s friends Gina Navarro and Susie Byrd ask him questions about his injuries. He tells that he saved “some guy” and the girls are in disbelief (159).

The English teacher, Mr. Blocker, asks the students an icebreaker about the most interesting thing that happened to them that summer. Ari tries to avoid answering but eventually says that his legs getting broken was the most interesting thing. Mr. Blocker asks him if it still hurts and Ari says no, a “small lie” (163).

Ari writes in his journal about how Dante taught him to swim. After he finishes writing he tears out the page.