Eric received the nickname “Frost” before he met Bench, Deedee, and Wolf. In fifth grade, Eric’s father gave him a book of Robert Frost’s poetry. Eric’s parents divorced soon after, and Eric’s father moved out. Following the move, Eric read the book and wrote a poem based on one of Frost’s poems for a contest at school. He won the contest, and his teacher said, “[W]e now have our very own Robert Frost” (43), which made the nickname stick.

During the first week post-cell phone ban, a new student named Rose Holland arrives in a ratty sweatshirt and scuffed combat boots. Eric reflects on whether or not Rose caused the problems to come or if said problems just happened to start when she arrived. Either way, he senses something different about her.

At lunch, the boys chat about Deedee’s sticky notes. Deedee notes how stickies are required for school but never get used, so he might as well “put them to good use” (57). When the others challenge Deedee’s definition of “good use,” he flicks a crumpled sticky into Eric’s applesauce. Eric dares him to make the same shot again—but this time, he hits Rose, who’s standing behind Eric.