Heather is the first person who will acknowledge Melinda and befriend her. She is the new girl in town and doesn’t know the events of the summer. She doesn’t know why everyone avoids Melinda. She saw an outcast and opportunity to make a friend. Melinda and her never grow close because of their opposite personalities and interests, but it gives Heather influence in Melinda’s life. It is Heather who will help Melinda find her voice. Heather is a person desperate to be part of a group. When she gets involved with the Marthas, she will to anything to stay with them. We see Heather get treated as the Marthas slave. She is told to decorate the teachers’ lounge and for the canned food drive. She always goes to Melinda for help and uses Melinda the
