Chapter 32: The Exam Theft and a Growing Secret
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
Eight years before the events of Ward D, high school students Amy and Jade are called aside by their teacher Mr. Riordan after the final bell. He has discovered that someone entered his classroom after hours—testimony from the janitor identified the pair—and a midterm exam paper went missing. Jade initially dismissed the accusation, claiming the janitor confused them with other students, but Mr. Riordan reveals he confirmed their identities using yearbook photos. He intends to report the matter to the principal for cheating, a decision that could lead to suspension or expulsion. Amy panics, knowing her dream of medical school is at risk, while Jade remains calm and even amused. During their argument, Amy admits she did look at the stolen test after initially refusing—she pulled it from the garbage to avoid failing. Jade laughs at her hypocrisy and tells Amy she is “more like me than you think.” The chapter also reveals that Amy has been seeing a mysterious little girl in her bathroom; she researched symptoms online and fears she might be developing schizophrenia. Jade assures Amy the situation will “blow over” and that she will “take care of everything,” but Amy is unconvinced and feels her future is ruined.
Key Events
- Mr. Riordan confronts Amy and Jade about the missing exam, citing janitor testimony and yearbook photo confirmation.
- Jade attempts to brush off the accusation, but the teacher remains firm in his decision to report them.
- Amy confesses to Jade that, despite her earlier objections, she did study the stolen test and now regrets it.
- Jade laughs at the revelation, highlighting Amy’s hypocrisy.
- Amy recalls seeing a silent little girl in her bathroom earlier that morning, a recurring hallucination she worries indicates a serious mental illness.
- Jade promises to “take care of everything,” though she offers no concrete plan, leaving Amy terrified.
Character Development
Amy – The flashback deepens Amy’s backstory, showing her as a conflicted honors student pressured by the fear of failure. Her decision to use the stolen test contradicts her moral stance, and her anxiety is compounded by emerging hallucinations. The contrast between her past ambition and current fragility adds layers to her present-day behavior. Jade – Displayed as manipulative yet loyal, Jade remains unflappable under pressure. She finds amusement in Amy’s panic and claims they are alike, hinting at a deeper, possibly darker, connection between the two friends. Her vague promise to “fix everything” suggests she has resources or methods Amy does not.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Cheating and Consequence – The stolen exam symbolizes the characters’ willingness to short‑circuit legitimate effort, with long‑term repercussions that echo into the present. Mental Health Shadow – Amy’s hallucination of a little girl introduces the theme of psychological decline before the main crisis, foreshadowing her later hospitalization. The internet search for causes (vision problems, epilepsy, brain tumor, schizophrenia) underscores her terror and the stigma surrounding mental illness. Friendship and Guilt – Jade and Amy’s dynamic reveals a toxic blend of loyalty and coercion; Amy’s guilt about the test is entangled with her dependence on Jade. The line “You’re more like me than you think” suggests shared culpability and blurred moral boundaries.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 32 is critical because it provides the inciting incident for the psychological tension that defines Amy’s character. The flashback explains why Amy feels trapped by her past mistakes and why she may be vulnerable to manipulation. Moreover, it introduces the hallucination motif that will likely play a central role in the novel’s mystery. Jade’s promise to “take care of everything” creates a narrative hook—readers will wonder what she did then, and how it might connect to the events of the present.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Amy decide to look at the stolen test after initially refusing?
Amy is driven by fear of failure. She knows she would have received an F on the midterm without studying the answers, and that grade could jeopardize her dream of attending college and medical school. Despite knowing it is wrong, she pulls the test from the garbage to avoid failing.
2. What does the hallucination of the little girl reveal about Amy’s mental state?
The recurrence of the little girl indicates that Amy is experiencing visual hallucinations, which she fears might be a sign of a serious condition like schizophrenia. She has already researched symptoms online, showing that she is aware something is wrong but is too afraid to tell anyone. This foreshadows her later breakdown and presence on Ward D.
3. How does Jade’s reaction to the cheating accusation differ from Amy’s, and what does it suggest about her character?
Jade remains calm, even amused, whereas Amy is panic‑stricken. Jade dismisses the threat of suspension and promises to “take care of everything.” This suggests that Jade either has a plan, connections to avoid punishment, or a sense of invincibility—character traits that make her both a loyal friend and a dangerous influence.