Contents
Switching Tables
Overview
Jack, still socially isolated, tries sitting with in-between classmates, but they abandon him at lunch. A teacher calls them out, prompting Jack to slip away. Summer and August openly invite Jack to their table, reaffirming their alliance and giving Jack a refuge amid Julian’s ongoing ostracism campaign.
Summary
At lunch the next day, Jack tries to escape isolation by sitting with Tristan, Nino, and Pablo—boys he considers “in-betweeners,” neither popular nor outcast. They greet him politely but, when the table is called for food, they peel off toward another table, repeating the abandonment Jack experienced the day before.
Mrs. G, the lunch teacher, witnesses the switch and publicly scolds the boys, insisting they return. Anticipating an awkward, forced scene, Jack quickly gets up and walks away with his tray to avoid being pitied or sitting with reluctant classmates.
As Jack circles to the far side of the cafeteria, Summer and August wave him over and invite him to sit with them. Their open welcome offers Jack a safe place and underscores their continued loyalty despite the broader social shunning encouraged by Julian’s campaign.
Who Appears
- Jack WillNarrator; shunned by peers, abandoned at lunch, then welcomed by Summer and August.
- Summer DawsonPublicly invites Jack to sit with her and August, offering support and inclusion.
- August PullmanSits with Summer; joins in welcoming Jack, reaffirming their renewed friendship.
- Mrs. GLunch teacher who scolds boys for switching tables and highlights the unfairness.
- TristanIn-between classmate who greets Jack but then ditches him for another table.
- NinoIn-between classmate who follows friends in abandoning Jack at lunch.
- PabloIn-between classmate who joins Tristan and Nino in switching tables.