The Skin I'm In

Maleeka is grounded without the phone or TV for three weeks because of the fight. Momma, Miss Saunders, and the principal also get Maleeka a job in the school office. Miss Saunders thinks it will help the school protect Maleeka’s potential. Maleeka hates this idea and tries unsuccessfully to get out of it.

During her first day working in the office, she overhears Miss Benson and Mr. Mac complaining about Miss Saunders and the exchange program. They think she is expecting too much of the kids and that she won’t be able to change anything in the school. They don’t know Maleeka is listening, because she is pretending to pick up a paper clip under her desk. When she sits up again, Mr. Mac is embarrassed and upset. Principal Pajolli, who heard everything, tells Mr. Mac that sometimes a little change is helpful. But Mr. Pajolli thinks it is wrong to reward Maleeka for fighting in school with a desk job. He asks how he will reward “the good ones” (30), to which Principal Pajolli replies that all the students are good ones. Annoyed, Mr. Mac and Miss Benson leave. Mr. Pajolli reassures Maleeka, but she is just thinking of how to get out of the job.