The Fourteenth Goldfish

Melvin is filled with ideas about setting up a new lab, finishing his research, and winning a Nobel Prize. Inspired by his enthusiasm, Ellie wonders what she might wear to a Nobel ceremony. She looks up prize winner Marie Curie, hoping to see what she wore there, and notices that she and the great scientist share the same flyaway hair. Ellie also discovers that Curie became sick from the radiation she received during her research. She died for her science.

Brianna walks over to Ellie during lunch at school and tells her she didn’t make the volleyball team: “I’ll have to try out again next season” (157). Ellie realizes she isn’t hurt about Brianna anymore, especially now that Raj and Melvin are part of her life. Brianna asks about Melvin and wonders if he’d be interested in dating her. Ellie says, “No.”

One morning, the house is “toasty warm.” Lissa tromps downstairs and demands to know who turned up the heat. Melvin says he did it. She says, “We’re trying to save money.” He pulls out a $20 bill and says, “Turn up the heat” (161).