Midterm Time

Midterm Time
Chapter	29 of 122 (list of chapters)
Published	January 12, 2007 (2007-01-12)
Page count	5
Major characters	Mike, Daisy, Tess
Minor characters	Lucy, Paulo, David, Abbey, Math Teacher
Locations	Roseville High School, Daisy's house
Collected in	Volume One, Omnibus 1
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Midterms loom at Roseville High, and stress levels are through the roof! Daisy takes it upon herself to whip Tess into academic shape, but her tough love tutoring style clashes with the gentle approach she takes with her beloved "Mikie". Will Daisy's efforts pay off, or will this be one test she can't ace?

Synopsis

The pressure is on as exam time approaches for the Roseville gang. Mike floats into the cafeteria, riding high on his stellar report card and ready to gloat. "You'd be dancing too if you got HONOR ROLL!" he proclaims, much to Paulo's annoyance. Tess looks glum, prompting Daisy to tactlessly ask "It's not because of your poor grades, is it?" Tess's reaction makes it pretty clear. Lucy suggests Tess just bribe her teachers for better grades, advice that Tess finds appalling.

Daisy, ever the eager beaver, volunteers to tutor Tess. Initially skeptical a student two years younger could even handle her classes, Tess asks to see Daisy's report card. Daisy begins to sweat. The reason is quickly revealed after Lucy casually grabs it and hands it to Tess - it features a doodle of Mike's face alongside her A+ grades. "S-SHUTTUP!!" Daisy stammers, beet red. Despite the embarrassing revelation (which eventually earns Lucy a punch in the face), Daisy's perfect grades speak for themselves, and the study plan begins!

Daisy channels her inner drill sergeant in an intense montage, rapping rulers and barking orders. No subject is safe from her relentless coaching, from the "Lebensraum" of Nazi Germany to the multiplicity of math. She even makes Tess jog, "Rocky"-style, while quizzing her on U.S. presidents. The fruits of their labor are evident when Tess thanks Daisy before the big exam, acknowledging all her hard work.

Meanwhile, the boys face their own challenges. Mike and David's math teacher threatens to hunt them down if they drop to "Algeom", the dreaded remedial class. David scoffs at the importance of math, much to the teacher's chagrin. "What do you wanna be, then, David?" the teacher asks. David's vacant stare says it all: "An astronaut." .

As Tess begins her exam, she's shocked to realize "I.. know all of this!!" Daisy's rigorous practice tests have prepared her well. Tess thinks triumphantly, "I never thought I could be THIS sure of myself!" But in a tragic twist, Daisy suddenly realizes "I forgot to study for my OWN exam!!" Overwhelmed by despair, Daisy's mind goes blank, filled only with basic chemistry terms as her hopes fade away. After the exam, Tess seeks out her tutor, eager to thank her... but a seething, frazzled Daisy strangles her before she can get a word out.

Critical moments

• Mike's honor roll achievement sparks joy and resentment among his friends.
• Tess's poor grades leave her dreading midterms, until Daisy enthusiastically offers to tutor her.
• Daisy's intense coaching methods clash with her gentle approach to Mike, exposing her favoritism and leaving Tess feeling slighted.
• Tess is elated to find the exam easier than expected thanks to Daisy's rigorous preparation, while Daisy realizes she neglected her own studies in the process.

Story themes

• The Perils of Young Love: Daisy's not-so-secret affection for Mike is highlighted as her lovingly doodled report card is exposed. Her mortified reaction speaks volumes about the vulnerability of wearing your heart on your sleeve (or in this case, on your report card).

Daisy’s tutoring service is rather different when you’re Mikie.

• Daisy's Double Standards: Daisy's no-nonsense approach to tutoring Tess is juxtaposed with her patient, gentle treatment of her crush Mike. This double standard in teaching styles leads to friction between Daisy and Tess, who feels pushed beyond her limits. Tess is incensed when Daisy explains why: “I literally needed to reteach you five classes so I had no time to be nice."
• The Price of Prioritizing Others: Daisy's all-consuming focus on helping Tess succeed academically comes at a steep personal cost. By neglecting her own exam preparation, Daisy sets herself up for a rude awakening when faced with questions she can't answer.

Character dynamics

• Tess and Daisy: Tess and Daisy's relationship takes center stage as Daisy offers to tutor the struggling Tess. Despite Tess' initial skepticism about a freshman helping her, Daisy arrogantly asserts her academic capability, even taking a jab at Tess' "messy" notes. As the tutoring begins, Daisy's strict and demanding approach contrasts with her gentle treatment of Mike - a fact that Tess calls out as unfair. However, Tess does genuinely appreciate Daisy's dedication, and their bond strengthens as Tess' confidence grows leading up to the midterms. Hopefully the strangulation in the final panel doesn't leave a mark.
• Daisy and Mike: Daisy's affection for Mike is revealed when her report card doodle of him is discovered. Her violent reaction to Lucy nearly exposing this secret highlights the depth of her embarrassment and desire to keep her feelings hidden. Later, Mike's unknowing praise of Daisy as "the sweetest tutor ever" showcases his obliviousness to her affections. Apparently, she even bakes him treats!

The boys squabble.

• Mike, Paulo and Abbey: The trio's dynamics are on full display as they react to Mike's academic achievement. When Mike excitedly shares his honor roll status, Paulo dismisses it with a curt "Loser", while Abbey warmly congratulates him. This contrast highlights Paulo's disdain for Mike's quirks and Abbey's more supportive nature as a friend. Abbey even calls out Paulo's intolerance, saying "He gets on your nerves no matter what, doesn't he?" - a direct challenge to Paulo's unreasonable irritation with Mike.
• Daisy and Lucy: When an elated Tess rushes to thank Daisy after acing her midterms, Daisy is shockingly furious, going so far as to choke Tess while declaring "You ruined me... Lucy just snickers "Pff." at Daisy's meltdown, amused by her friend's self-sabotaging over-helpfulness. It's a pretty typical display of Lucy's often unsympathetic, snarky attitude towards Daisy's tribulations.

Reader perspectives

Readers were highly amused by David's outrageous comments in this chapter, from his accusation of racist grading to his clueless declaration of wanting to be an astronaut despite dismissing the importance of math. The intense tutoring montage between Daisy and Tess also generated discussion, with readers enjoying Rocky references and debating the proper spelling of the German term "Lebensraum".

Trivia & observations

• Mike reveals he made the honor roll for the first time.
• This chapter marks the first time Tess and Daisy have a major interaction.
• The term "Lebensraum" that Daisy quizzes Tess on is a reference to a key concept in Nazi ideology during World War II, meaning "living space". It was used to justify German territorial expansion.
• Tess jogging in a tracksuit while being drilled on U.S. Presidents is a clear shout-out to Rocky's iconic training montage.
• The Math Teacher's threat to hunt down any student who drops to "Algeom" is a reference to a remedial math class in Taeshi's real high school, for those who couldn't handle regular Algebra.
• David's aspiration to be an astronaut is played for laughs given his dismissive attitude towards math education. In reality, astronauts require extensive knowledge of mathematics, physics, and engineering.
• Daisy's violent outburst in choking Tess and screaming "You ruined me.." after the midterm is shockingly out of character for the normally sweet Daisy. It's a rare glimpse of her unhinged side that will pop up again in later chapters.

Related chapters

• Enter High School: Mike and Lucy's differing class placements and the group's reactions to Daisy being a "smart" freshman set the stage for the academic pressures and dynamics at play in "Midterm Time". Tess is also shown rolling her eyes in response to "Mr. Noodles'" impassioned speech about the HSPA and SATs.
• The Burden of Parenthood: We see Daisy's academic prowess on display here too, as she easily grasps concepts for the baby assignment that leave Tess and others struggling. Her eagerness to tutor and impress Mike also mirrors her efforts in Chapter 29.