Back at The Pines full-time, Dexter spars with Archie, a resident and boxing enthusiast, who criticizes him for losing his edge after school. Dexter describes avoiding a fight with Ronny by walking away, which Archie views as weakness. Dexter enjoys being back but notices some aspects of school life he misses. During a codebreaking session with Leo, Dexter grows concerned when Leo takes unusually long to solve the puzzle.

Later, Gianna arrives unexpectedly at Dexter’s condo. Though Dexter tries to turn her away, his grandmother invites Gianna in for tea. Gianna explains that Traci distorted her article and that she quit the Eyeball in protest. She then shows Dexter a leaflet containing her original account of the cafeteria incident. The article acknowledges both that Dexter never intended the knife as a weapon and that Officer Hagler had no choice but to treat it as one. Moved by Gianna’s effort to defend his reputation, Dexter thanks her. She announces that she will distribute the leaflet the next morning and then hugs Dexter and leaves.

Jackson reflects on being the math team captain again, preferring the position even if the team is now losing without Dexter. When Ronny requests math tutoring, Jackson refuses, citing soccer commitments. At the Friday pep rally, Jackson is performing his signature soccer ball juggling routine when the field sprinklers suddenly activate. A custodian attempts to shut them off, but the valve breaks in his hand. The field floods, forcing Dr. Dinkins to cancel the rally and send students to ninth period.

As the drenched team files back inside, multiple students remark that Dexter could have fixed the problem. Alex Globus notes Dexter’s technical know-how, and similar comments ripple through the crowd. The buzz grows throughout the school, with students citing Gianna’s retraction and defending Dexter’s innocence. Even Ronny, who once tried to punch Dexter, now says that he was treated unfairly. Jackson passes Gianna, who is distributing more copies of her retraction by the school store, rallying students with the warning that anyone could be next.

Jackson realizes with dismay that Dexter is becoming a hero in absentia—more popular than Jackson himself. The pep rally that should have showcased his talent has instead elevated Dexter’s legend.

When midterm progress reports arrive, Ronny’s poor grades trigger an explosive tirade from his father, who is already frustrated by searching for the missing creosote that Ronny secretly took to vandalize Dexter’s locker. To escape, Ronny bikes to the mall, where he discovers a T-shirt identical to Dexter’s, printed with “T-SHIRT.” He buys it and decides to visit Dexter at The Pines.

Following the bus route, Ronny reaches the retirement community and asks two elderly residents for directions to Dexter’s home. While cutting across a lawn, Ronny is nearly struck by an arrow. The archer, Archie, storms toward him, furious that Ronny crossed his firing range. A heated argument erupts until Dexter appears and intervenes. When Ronny shows Dexter his matching T-shirt and declares that his suspension was unfair, Archie is shocked to learn they are friends.

Ronny mentions that he’s failing math and might repeat seventh grade. Without hesitation, Dexter offers to tutor him. Ronny is moved by this generosity, especially considering his past hostility toward Dexter. Despite Dexter’s quirks, Ronny now considers him a friend worth defending.

Dexter grows concerned about Leo, who seems increasingly tired and confused during their sessions. One day, Leo even briefly mistakes Dexter for Burt, a WWII corporal. Returning home, Dexter finds Gianna, Sophie, and his grandmother looking at his baby photos. Sophie mentions a petition to end his suspension, which surprises Dexter. Another student, Ethan, is next door teaching elderly resident Felix how to play video games on his smart TV.

Over the following week, WEMS students visit Dexter regularly, despite having barely acknowledged him at school. His sixth-grade shuffleboard team arrives, and Dexter takes them to the courts, where they join games with residents. He briefly leaves to tutor Ronny in math, who shows small signs of progress. When Dexter returns, he cannot find the shuffleboard team. After searching The Pines, he discovers them in the community room playing bingo with residents, completely at home.

Dexter joins the bingo game, high-fiving both students and residents as he takes his seat. Despite his uncertainty about whether these changes are positive, he recognizes that they’re happening because of choices he made. His life at The Pines is transforming in ways he never anticipated.

At the school’s anti-bullying assembly, a quarter of students remain standing after the “Pledge of Allegiance,” chanting “Justice for Dexter” loud enough to overshadow the presentation. During the question-and-answer session, students derail the discussion by passionately defending Dexter, forcing Dr. Dinkins to end the assembly early. Ms. Napier observes pro-Dexter graffiti and signs throughout the school, including a sign dubbing a staircase that Dexter had repaired the “Dexter Foreman Memorial Staircase” (194). She argues with Dr. Dinkins that suppressing the protests only intensifies them, but he refuses to back down.

Ms. Napier realizes that the situation has evolved into a kids-versus-adults conflict. Students see administrators as the enemy and refuse to acknowledge that Dexter never wanted to attend WEMS. She reflects on the irony: The entire student body is united and passionate, displaying democratic idealism, yet they have the facts wrong. Their hero wanted nothing more than to leave.

Dr. Dinkins convenes an emergency staff meeting, attended by school board chair J. Enoch Dunwoody. Teachers and custodians complain about disruptions from student protests and pro-Dexter materials. Ms. Napier defends Dexter, explaining that his upbringing taught him that Swiss Army knives were tools, not weapons. Mr. Dunwoody announces that the school board will decide Dexter’s future at their November 21 meeting, less than two weeks away.

Teagan flies in to stay with her grandparents at The Pines, annoyed that her parents left her behind for their Paris trip. During the drive to the retirement community, she recalls growing apart from Dexter, finding his elderly mannerisms and clothing increasingly off-putting. While approaching The Pines, Teagan is stunned to see middle schoolers everywhere—on paths, courts, and lawns.

Her grandparents explain that these are Dexter’s supporters, visiting after his school suspension. Teagan is shocked to learn that Dexter was suspended for having a weapon. She observes that the influx of young people has energized The Pines, transforming its usual calm atmosphere into something happier and livelier.

After settling in, Teagan searches for Dexter, intrigued by his mysterious popularity. She finds him on the main lawn, noticeably changed—dressed in normal clothing with his hair growing out. He is surrounded by students as he explains the old bird-nest project that he and Teagan started, using their chart with creative nicknames. Teagan joins the group, re-engaging with the project she once found tedious. When a dark-haired girl named Gianna delivers a message from Dexter’s grandmother, Teagan recognizes her from a previous visit and wonders if Gianna is now Dexter’s girlfriend.