Hate List

Valerie tells Jessica she is dropping out of student council. As she does, a little of the old Jessica returns when she snidely replies, “God, when are you going to get past that ‘I’m not one of you’ thing, Valerie?” (332). Valerie ignores her, but Jessica follows her into the hallway. Jessica admits she has changed, but she still has nightmares. She says, “I didn’t like you…before. I can’t change that,” but she emphasizes the need to keep trying (333). Valerie asks her what the point of trying is; Jessica responds that May 2nd, 2008, is the point of trying. Jessica believes she received a second chance at life for a reason, and that reason was to become a better person. 

In Valerie’s session with Dr. Hieler, she finally tells someone about Troy. She explains how Troy threatened her and waved a gun in her face. Dr. Hieler encourages Valerie to make a report to the police, which she agrees to do. Initially, she fears the police will ignore her, but the police take her claim seriously. Her father comes to the house after Valerie’s mother finds out about Troy; while there, her father advocates for an in-hospital psychiatric stay again.