The Running Dream

After lunch, Fiona helps Jessica organize and prepare for her classes at school. Fiona suggests that Jessica speak to her teachers about an exemption from unnecessary homework assignments. Then they begin to work together on Jessica’s math assignments.

While they work, Jessica catches Fiona daydreaming a few times. She asks Fiona what is going on, but before Fiona can answer, Jessica’s mother interrupts them. Suddenly, Jessica realizes where Fiona’s mind is at: she is planning a party for Jessica’s return to school. Later, after Fiona has left, Jessica’s mother points out how wonderful Fiona is as a friend. Jessica heartily agrees, overwhelmed with gratitude for Fiona’s presence in her life.

The night,her last before returning to school, Jessica suffers a bout of insomnia. She gets up and reads her history book until she drifts off. When her mother wakes her up in the morning, she tries to find some excuse to stay home. However, Jessica knows that she can’t evade school, not when Fiona has gone to such great lengths to celebrate her return.

At breakfast, Jessica hopes to see her sister, so she can make amends for their previous argument. But Kaylee doesn’t come downstairs right away, and even Jessica’s dad seems out of sorts.