Omar is nervous about going to school, so he imagines that a dragon accompanies him. This makes Omar more confident. Mom does not relate to Omar’s imaginative flights. He does not tell her about the dragon, which he sees flying beside their car. Omar names the dragon H₂O since the steam from its nostrils comes from water and Omar knows that H₂O is the chemical symbol for water. Still nervous in class, Omar continues envisioning the dragon.

Omar likes his teacher, Mrs. Hutchinson, who has curly red hair that reflects her moods. Omar sits beside Charlie, a freckled redhead with thick glasses, and they quickly become friends. Charlie explains that school is mostly “OK” except for Daniel, whom Omar should avoid. Omar reflects that he is not good at keeping away from things he is told to avoid, like the time he opened and spilled Maryam’s bead box.

At lunchtime, Daniel makes fun of Omar and Charlie, saying how “nice” it is that the “new kid” and the “weird kid” are sitting together. Omar has trouble recognizing sarcasm and is silent while he tries to figure out whether Daniel is being nice or insulting.