You Should See Me in a Crown

Walking into school, Liz is delighted that she and Amanda have begun to text more often. Things between them are already beginning to feel more like the way they used to be. Before Liz can get far, she is sidelined by Britt and Robbie. They begin to warn her but not before she catches sight of a new campaign poster that says, “Liz Lighty is Only Queen of the Queers” (151). At that moment, Campbell Confidential lights up with recorded snippets of Liz’s private conversation with Amanda, where she says, “you like girls, so do I” (151). Later, Liz and Amanda are in Principal Wilson’s office. Amanda is furious and demands to know if Principal Wilson and Madame Simoné are planning to do anything about what just occurred.

Wilson is quick to deflect, insisting that they don’t know anything about who is responsible. Amanda has already dropped out of the race, and only Liz is up for disqualification from the competition. Mr. Wilson makes snide comments about Amanda and Liz’s relationship, insinuating that they would rather be doing something sexual together. Wilson then states that the PTA is demanding that Liz be disqualified. He does not expect it when Liz stands up for herself. Surprising everyone, Madame Simoné also defends Liz and Amanda.

Gabi interrupts the meeting and shows Mr. Wilson her phone, where thousands of posts in support of Liz and Amanda have already begun to circulate. Gabi also threatens that the disqualification of Liz will result in a strong case for the American Civil Liberties Union. Madame Simoné tells Mr. Wilson that she’s had enough of watching how “good, deserving young people don’t enter the race because of how they’ll be received” (154). Liz is thrown by this; she has never heard anyone in the administration admit to the blatant unfairness towards the students.

Jordan and his family have avoided much of the prejudice by virtue of being wealthy athletes; however, people like Liz who sit at the vulnerable intersection of race, gender, sexuality, and class feel the full force of Campbell’s prejudice. Though Liz and Amanda are free to go, Wilson still insists that they are forbidden from going together as dates to prom. Gabi leaves without another word and Liz follows her. They have a confrontation in the hallway, where Gabi says that Liz doesn’t need her anymore. Liz tells her that it isn’t true. They both tear up, but they part ways in silence. 

Liz and Robbie are at home. Robbie is not feeling well and will not be going to school. Robbie encourages her not to worry about him and to go to school anyway. It is the day when they will find out who has made it onto prom court. Later at school, Jordan catches up with Liz. He is concerned about her and gives her hug, promising to talk to her later. The rally is one where all the prom candidates dance before the student body. Liz is not a great dancer, but she manages to follow the routine.

During the freestyle dance, Liz and Jordan do the dance they used to do together as children. After the song ends, the lights turn off and when they come back on, almost everyone is wearing plain black shirts with a simple gold crown in support of Liz. Liz is overwhelmed with emotion, realizing this is all for her, “Campbell’s infamous, subversive, dangerous, queer-as-hell prom queen wannabe” (160). 

Jordan reveals that the t-shirts were not his idea but that of the two freshman girls, Melly and Katherine, who have been ardent supporters of Liz from the beginning. Liz’s joy is painfully interrupted when she gets a call from her grandmother. Granny tells Liz that Robbie has been admitted to the hospital. Jordan drives Liz to the hospital without asking any questions. When he drops her off, he promises to return after school.

At St. Regis hospital, Dr. Fredrickson, Robbie’s hematologist, speaks with Liz before she can go into her brother’s room. Dr. Frederickson was Dr. L’s protégé and is one of the only Black female hematologists in the state. Dr. Fredrickson tells Liz that Robbie stopped taking his medication and has acute chest syndrome as a result. Thankfully, they catch it early enough that Robbie will recover, but Liz is still distraught. She blames herself for not paying enough attention to Robbie. Dr. Frederickson is kind but stern. She insists that this is not Liz’s fault, and that Liz is neither Robbie’s doctor nor his caretaker. Liz accepts this and puts on a brave face before going into the hospital room.  

Robbie is awake with the grandparents sitting by his bedside. They leave to give Liz and Robbie privacy to talk. Instead of talking about Robbie’s illness, they talk about Liz and prom court. Liz says that she should just drop out and Robbie insists that they take a look at the results. When they check Campbell Confidential on his phone, they find out that Liz has made it onto prom court. Later in the night, Jordan returns with dinner. Jordan tells Liz that Madame Simoné disqualified Rachel from the competition after Quinn told her everything that Rachel planned. According to Jordan, Quinn also publicly screamed at Rachel for how she treated Liz. Campbell Confidential is also full of Liz’s tagline of “#EffYourFairyTale” in support of her (169). Liz is overcome with emotion, but Jordan has another surprise for her. Jordan has brought along Gabi and he tells her to make up with her best friend.

Gabi confesses to Liz that her parents are officially getting a divorce and admits that she “keep[s] putting my own drama above yours” (170). Gabi apologizes to Liz for making her feel like she had to hide parts of herself and promises to be better. Gabi also promises to apologize to Amanda. The end of the chapter finds Liz and Gabi making up and leaving their friendship stronger.