Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of bullying, racism, physical abuse, and mental illness.

All week, Yaqui is suspended, so Piddy can focus on schoolwork and get to class on time. In English, when Ms. Shepherd hands back the extra credit assignments, Piddy does not receive hers. The teacher announces that they are starting a school magazine with Rob at the helm. Ms. Shepherd has posted the selected essays for the first issue on the English department bulletin board; Piddy’s monster essay is there. Panicked that someone will see it, Piddy insists on retrieving it. Ms. Shepherd refuses to let her leave class, but when the bell rings, Piddy races to the bulletin board. The essay is gone.

At lunch, Piddy watches everyone carefully, especially Yaqui’s table. When Darlene insults Rob, Piddy tells her to be quiet. After lunch, Rob follows Piddy, but she pushes him away. Angry, Rob drops something before running off. It is her essay. When Rob does not respond to her shouts, Piddy tears the essay to pieces.

Piddy helps Darlene with physics homework at the girl’s apartment. Despite Darlene’s insistence, Piddy refuses to just hand over the answers. After studying, Darlene compliments Piddy’s science skills.