Chapter 7 Summary: Mina’s Apology and Emmitt’s Refusal
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
Mina enters statistics class and notices Grant speaking with Emmitt at the front of the room. She sits beside her partner, Kaity, who is curious about the new student. Kaity scrolls through Instagram to find his profile, but Mina claims she forgot his name. Seizing an opportunity, Mina asks whether Kaity and her friend Sofia will be auditioning for the short film. Kaity reveals that Sofia recently broke up with her ex, Matt, and is not interested in rekindling that relationship. Mina hopes this information will encourage Rosie, who wants to pursue Sofia.
The rest of the statistics lesson passes uneventfully. After the bell, Mina catches up to Emmitt and Grant outside class. She asks Grant for a private moment with Emmitt, and Grant leaves for the cafeteria. Emmitt immediately resumes his British accent and confronts Mina, who admits she now recognizes him. She apologizes for her behavior on Friday and for poking fun at his situation earlier that morning. Emmitt sees through her sincerity and accuses her of wanting something. Cornered, Mina explains that her film club is applying to the Golden Ivy student film competition and asks if Emmitt would make a brief cameo. He refuses without hearing her full pitch. Mina chases after him, grabs his wrist, and pleads, offering to help keep his identity secret in return. Emmitt coldly shakes her off and walks away, leaving Mina devastated over the lost opportunity for the film.
Key Events
- Mina learns from Kaity that Sofia is single after a messy breakup with Matt, information she hopes to pass to Rosie.
- Mina intercepts Emmitt after class and apologizes for her earlier behavior, both on Friday and that morning.
- Emmitt correctly infers that Mina wants something from him.
- Mina asks Emmitt to make a thirty-second cameo in the film club’s Golden Ivy competition entry.
- Emmitt refuses twice, even after Mina chases him and offers to help conceal his identity.
- Emmitt walks away, leaving Mina feeling hopeless about the film’s chances.
Character Development
Mina Rahman spends this chapter swallowing her pride for the sake of the short film. She apologizes sincerely, admits she knows Emmitt’s real name, and pleads for his help despite his coldness. Her willingness to chase him down and offer a favor in return shows that the film competition has become a priority over her own dignity. This desperation contrasts with her earlier antagonism toward Emmitt.
Emmitt / Ezra Rivera remains guarded and dismissive. He sees through Mina’s apology immediately and rejects her request without hearing the full pitch. His refusal to even consider a cameo underscores his distrust of others and his determination to keep his undercover identity secure. The chapter also reveals that he has been following Grant from class to class, suggesting a deliberate plan that Mina has yet to understand.
Kaity acts as a helpful informant, providing Mina with crucial details about Sofia’s relationship status without suspecting Mina’s ulterior motive.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Pride versus necessity is the central tension in this chapter. Mina must set aside her pride and ego to apologize to someone she previously mocked. She even offers to repay Emmitt with a favor, revealing that the film’s success matters more than saving face.
Undercover identity continues to shape interactions. Emmitt’s dual identity as Ezra Rivera makes him suspicious of everyone, and he uses his British accent only when he is certain Grant is not listening. Mina’s awareness of his secret gives her a bargaining chip, but also keeps them in an adversarial relationship.
Manipulation as currency appears when Mina uses the information about Sofia to cheer up Rosie, and when she tries to negotiate with Emmitt by offering secrecy. These small acts of manipulation highlight how characters trade information for personal gain.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 7 marks a turning point in the film’s prospects. Mina has now directly asked Emmitt for help and been rejected. Her earlier optimism about winning the Golden Ivy competition is shaken, and she must find another way to secure a celebrity cameo. The chapter also deepens the mystery around Emmitt’s reasons for attending a public high school under a false name. Mina’s failed apology and plea create a personal stake in their relationship: she now has to decide whether to respect his refusal or to push harder, knowing the competition’s deadline looms.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Mina decide to apologize to Emmitt, even though she was not entirely in the wrong?
Mina apologizes because she needs something from Emmitt—a cameo for the short film. She recognizes that her pride is less important than the film’s success, and she hopes that by swallowing her anger she can earn his cooperation. The apology is strategic rather than purely remorseful.
2. How does Emmitt react when Mina asks for a cameo, and what does this reveal about his character?
Emmitt refuses immediately, not even letting her finish her pitch. This shows that he is wary of being used or exposed, and that he values his privacy and control over any potential benefit from the cameo. His terse “no” also demonstrates a guarded, independent nature that will not be easily swayed.
3. What information does Mina learn from Kaity, and why is it important to her plans?
Mina learns that Sofia is not interested in her ex-boyfriend and is single. This is important because Mina hopes to share the news with Rosie, who has a crush on Sofia. The information could improve Rosie’s mood after the earlier tension, and it also strengthens Mina’s bond with her best friend.