East Side Middle School

East Side Middle School is where Claire attends school. It is also the setting for a large portion of the narrative events. When Claire is moving through the halls of East Side, she shows a different side of herself than she does anywhere else. Unlike at home, Claire feels she must earn her place at East Side. She often feels judged by the more popular students, and bullied by her more teasing classmates, like Ryder and Regina. However, despite these feelings, Claire has a series of teachers and friends who greatly care about her. It is through her experiences in band and science class in particular, that Claire gradually learns how to balance her home life with her school life.

The Goldsmiths' Home

The Goldsmiths' home is where Claire, Matthew, and their parents, Nicole and David live. In the early chapters of the novel, the...