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Chapter 9 both serves as foreshadowing and builds upon the idea that personality is not determined by gender. Eric’s apprehension toward working with Rose stems from the fact she’s a girl and that her presence might cause people to gossip about them. As their afternoon of research progresses—and Rose proves both helpful and fun—Eric’s worries fade, emphasizing the theme of Similarities and Differences Are Illusions. He is no longer concerned about being seen with a girl because Rose’s help proves invaluable. The discussion between Eric and Wolf at the end of the chapter foreshadows the latter leaving BMS. Like Rose, Wolf experiences difficulties at BMS despite being a longtime student. At the end of the book, he knows changing schools will present new challenges, but Rose’s success suggests Wolf will find the same at his new school.

The use of sticky notes escalates in Chapter 10. Their different colors and shapes signify meaning well beyond mere communication; they are now status symbols. Though no one signs their notes, the students who use fancier kinds know who they are and may feel more important—as if their messages carry more weight than those written on standard yellow ones. Students using the yellow notes may feel as if their messages—and they themselves—are less important. The sticky note in Rose’s math book also hints at escalation. Rather than being posted in a public place, it was placed inside her book, which violates Rose’s privacy and property to send a message. This note is made even more threatening by its clarity (it’s for Rose and Rose alone). The unsettling feeling everyone has about the note underlines that Anonymity Gives People Power.