Whether or not to change schools: Melinda's parents decide to send her to a different school after the rape, but Melinda is hesitant to make this change. She feels like she is being punished for something that wasn't her fault, and she is worried about leaving behind her friends and the only place she has ever called home. However, she ultimately decides to move to the new school in hopes that it will give her a fresh start.
Whether or not to speak up: Melinda is a very shy and introverted girl, and she struggles to speak up for herself. She often allows others to walk all over her and make decisions for her without her input. However, she slowly begins to find her voice over the course of the book and learns to stand up for herself. She makes a decision to start talking about what happened to her and becomes more assertive in general.