Contents
School
Overview
Miranda describes drifting from Via at school, adopting new friends and image while feeling judged. She notices Via dating Justin and, partly out of rivalry, joins theater. Miranda persuades the teacher to switch from The Elephant Man to Our Town, then unexpectedly wins the role of Emily over Via, deepening their distance.
Summary
Miranda recounts how she and Via barely interacted at school, their brief hallway nods masking a widening rift. Miranda and Ella badmouthed Via to justify icing her out, even though Miranda realizes Via hadn’t changed—Miranda and Ella had.
From afar, Miranda kept tabs on Via’s lunch table and electives but avoided contact. Midyear, Miranda noticed Justin with his arm around Via and was surprised that Via had a boyfriend, given Via’s usual disinterest in dating.
Miranda herself dated Zack, a popular varsity jock who dismissed theater. Spurred by rivalry and curiosity after seeing Via’s name, Miranda signed up for the theater elective, and the two continued to avoid each other in class.
Arriving early one day, Miranda was asked by Mr. Davenport to copy scripts for The Elephant Man. Realizing the play centered on a man with severe deformities, Miranda objected, citing a “little brother” with a facial difference and saying her parents would oppose it. Under pressure, Mr. Davenport switched the production to Our Town.
Motivated by competition with Via, Miranda auditioned for Emily Gibbs specifically because Via would. To Miranda’s surprise, she was chosen for Emily over Via, a result that affirmed her new path but further entrenched the distance between the former best friends.
Who Appears
- MirandaNarrator; distances herself from Via, joins theater out of rivalry, gets play changed, and wins Emily.
- Via PullmanFormer best friend; keeps her distance at school, dates Justin, loses the Emily role to Miranda.
- Mr. DavenportTheater teacher; switches the spring play to Our Town after Miranda objects to The Elephant Man.
- JustinVia’s boyfriend; seen with Via at school, signaling her new relationship.
- EllaMiranda’s friend; joins in badmouthing Via as their group drifts away.
- ZackMiranda’s varsity jock boyfriend; dismissive of theater but socially high-status.