Summary

At the beginning of this section, Bradley asks Amina if Soojin and Emily have become best friends, because he sees them working together. When Amina tells him that this is not the case, Bradley offers to switch with Soojin because he wants to be near Emily. Amina refuses, and accidentally tells Bradley that “Emily likes Justin” (124). Amina instantly regrets divulging Emily’s secret, and she prays that Bradley will stay quiet.

Chapter 17 begins with Soojin, Amina, and Emily having lunch together at school. Soojin reminds them that her swearing-in ceremony is the next day, and Emily tells them that they must celebrate as she pulls out her mother’s peanut butter cookies. Amina is “touched” (127) that Emily remembered she likes them. At that moment, the school bully, Luke, approaches the three girls. He begins to tease Emily about Justin, but Emily pretends not...