Main Conflicts:
* The "Sleepover" Plot: The biggest conflict centers around the "sleepover" that's organized as a prank against Zach. It becomes a huge ordeal, with a lot of students getting involved and a few teachers being suspicious. This creates a lot of tension and uncertainty for Zach. He faces the possibility of being expelled if the truth comes out.
* Zach's Struggle for Acceptance: Zach continues to try to fit in at his new school, but he constantly feels like an outsider. He struggles with his identity and how to find his place. He doesn't want to be labeled a "nerd" but also doesn't want to be like the cool kids who are perpetuating the pranks.
* The "No More Pranks" Campaign: Zach, along with others, attempts to organize a "no more pranks" campaign to combat the negativity and bullying they feel. However, this campaign quickly backfires, leading to more tension and misunderstandings.
Sub-Conflicts:
* Zach and the "Cool Kids": Zach is caught in a constant power struggle with the "cool kids," who seem determined to make his life miserable. This conflict manifests in pranks, rumors, and social exclusion.
* Zach and the "Nerds": Zach struggles to connect with the "nerds" as well, partly because he feels like they're clinging to an outdated stereotype of "nerds" as being helpless victims. He doesn't want to be part of their "nerd-dom."
* Zach and His Parents: The conflict with his parents, specifically with his dad, intensifies in these chapters. His dad's disapproval and his desire for Zach to live up to his expectations add to the pressure Zach feels.
Overall:
The central conflict in these chapters is a struggle for identity and acceptance. Zach is caught between two opposing forces: the "cool kids" and the "nerds," and he's trying to find a way to be himself without conforming to either group. The pranks are just a symptom of the larger issue of bullying and social hierarchy within the school.