Summary

The unnamed narrator in the novel Prep, by Curtis Sittenfeld, begins her story by explaining her belief that everything at Ault happened to her because she misunderstood her assignment in Ancient History. When Jamie Lorison began talking about architecture, the topic the narrator believed was hers, her “heart lurched” (4). When the teacher called the narrator, whom the reader learns is named Lee Fiora, to present, Lee tried to explain that there was some confusion. Lee learned from the teacher that she was supposed to have written about athletics. The teacher insisted that Lee give the presentation she had prepared. An embarrassed Lee tried but walked out of class because she felt her eyes filling with tears.

As she ran from the classroom building, Lee thought about going back home. However, a girl wearing cowboy boots was lying on her back on one of...