Emako tells Monterey one day after chorus practice that she wants to cut off her braids and dye her hair platinum blonde. Monterey tells her that would look “dope,” and Emako teases her, telling her to “talk like the square that you are” (79). Monterey asks Emako why she is always criticizing her. Emako apologizes sincerely and hurries off to get her bus.

When Monterey arrives home, having convinced her father to pick up Kentucky Fried Chicken for dinner, she declines his suggestion that they eat together as a family. She wonders if Emako is right about her charmed life when Emako calls her. Emako tells her that Gina just called her, telling her that she needs to stop seeing Jamal and calling her names. Emako hung up on Gina and is going to call Jamal, promising to call Monterey back after she speaks to him. She does and tells Monterey that Jamal promised he would tell Gina not to contact Emako anymore. Emako also reveals that Jamal invited her to go to Disneyland with him on Saturday.