why do you think this happened outside the metal-shop classrom

Heather asks Melinda to hang up the posters for the canned food drive. Melinda does not mind. She believes it might improve her reputation if people see her performing a good deed. However, while Melinda is hanging a poster outside of the metal shop, IT walks by and whispers “Freshmeat” in Melinda’s ear.

It seems to me that this happens simply because Melinda has put herself out there..... she's broadening her horizons and taking chances. None-the-less, the second she escapes her comfort zone, something happens to shut her back in.