In this chapter, we are introduced to elena, a sophomore at the school, who has stumbled upon the world of "rhysmyth" and is beginning to show her newfound self. She is aided by "wahzee"'s training, and she decides to take on "taylor" in a tournament to determine who will participate in the tournament. "confident and sassy," taylor has always been the only girl on the team, and "tina" has been her best friend for many years. "Coach shakespeare" is introduced, and we are told that he is a "joyful exuberance" to all of the team members. He is affectionately known as "coach shakes" because he always brings an "attitude of joyful exuberance" and "emotional outbursts" to the practices and functions of his team. . "stretch i'm now not who I used to be" , he says, and he wonders how long this will last. "There aren't very many squares left," he exclaims, "either one of you can win" . He tells her that she is getting better, and that she may have gotten "a little better" the last time she tried the match, but that she will not be able to do it again. "I'm sorry," she says, "ha ha ha no- worry about it" ; "those-those designs are from," she exclaims.