Nora reveals to Stephen that she is actually a genius and he comes up with a plan to prove grades don't reflect everything about a student. He intentionally tells the school's gossip, Jenny Ashton that Nora is a genius. As word spreads, Nora begins to act like a snob and challenges teachers by bringing up topics that have not been taught in class yet. When she is confronted by the principal, Ms. Hackney, the next day for scoring a zero on her last three tests, Nora explains that she loathes grades because they cause too much competition. She stays home the next day, pretending to be indisposed, but gives up her ploy when she discovers that Stephen has started a campaign for all students to rebel by scoring zeros on their next tests.