In Chapter 1, Clementine describes the beginning of her “not so good” week (1), starting with what happened in art class and Margaret’s hair. When Clementine notices that Margaret left class for a while with a sad face, Clementine goes to the girls’ bathroom, where she finds Margaret with a chunk of hair cut from the side of her head. Clementine helps Margaret by cutting off more of her hair until Margaret looks “like a dandelion” (10).

When she gets sent to the principal’s office after the art teacher finds them, Clementine tries to pay attention but gets distracted, and Principal Rice gets frustrated with her behavior. Clementine also shares that she is good at art and in the gifted class for math, but she has trouble in English class.

Back at home after school, Clementine runs into Margaret, who was waiting in the lobby of their apartment building. Margaret is upset by how her hair looks, and Clementine offers to help by making her “hair red, just like [Clementine’s]” (16). Margaret finds this plan exciting, and Clementine goes to find her mother’s extra-permanent markers.

Since Margaret’s mother isn’t home, Clementine goes over to Margaret’s apartment.