Chapter 27: Rooftop Confessions and Queer Awakenings

⚠️ 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

Reshma invites Clio to the rooftop bar at the William Vale Hotel in Williamsburg, a spot she accesses through a bouncer arrangement involving stolen wine from her parents. The two relax under a cabana, sipping fruity drinks and enjoying the view of Lower Manhattan. Clio notices Reshma's British accent emerging, and Reshma admits it comes out when she feels comfortable. Their conversation drifts to Clio's love of using fancy words like “autumnal” and to Reshma's background: raised mostly by herself while her parents toured, feeling like a “patchwork” of different identities. Clio receives a text from her boyfriend (Bash, though unnamed) and complains that he is artistic but exhausting, describing his persona as “I'm-the-only-Black-guy-in-an-emo-band.” Reshma recognizes the description but does not mention his name. The topic shifts to sexuality: Reshma reveals her sexual awakening was a crush on the lady elves in Lord of the Rings, while Clio's was Clawdeen Wolf from Monster High. Clio calls herself queer-curious and emphasizes she is not experimenting but genuinely drawn to Reshma. Feeling the chemistry, they slowly touch pinky fingers, both sensing a tingle. Reshma suggests they leave together, signaling a deepening bond.

Key Events

Reshma brings Clio to the William Vale rooftop, a place she usually keeps private.
Clio grows comfortable enough to let her accent slip, and Reshma admits she feels comfortable with Clio.
Clio vents about her boyfriend, describing him as an exhausting, slightly femme emo Black guy—a clear description of Bash.
Reshma shares her childhood of raising herself and feeling like a cultural patchwork.
Both characters disclose their queer awakenings: Reshma with Lord of the Rings elves, Clio with Clawdeen Wolf.
Clio affirms her interest in Reshma is genuine, not just experimentation.
They share a physical moment by touching pinky fingers under the cabana.
Reshma suggests they leave the rooftop together.

Character Development

Reshma reveals a vulnerable side she usually hides behind wealth and sarcasm. She opens up about her lonely upbringing, her fluctuating identity, and her certainty about being a lesbian. Her ulterior motive of luring Clio away from Bash fades as genuine feelings emerge. The rooftop scene shows her trying to bridge her privileged world with Clio's earthier sensibility.

Clio becomes more self-aware. She recognizes that her long-distance relationship with Bash no longer satisfies her, labeling his energy as exhausting. She admits she is queer-curious but insists her attraction to Reshma is specific, not a general experiment. This shows her growing emotional maturity and willingness to explore her identity.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Identity as Patchwork: Reshma describes herself as a “patchwork of a bunch of different stuff that doesn’t match,” echoing the novel's larger theme of cultural and personal hybridity. Clio's comparison of her to a centaur reinforces this feeling of being a mixture of parts.
Performance vs. Authenticity: The rooftop is a place of performance (expensive sunglasses, plastic surgery, designer brands), yet Reshma and Clio carve out an authentic moment away from that world. Clio contrasts her genuine connection with Reshma against the superficiality around them.
The Rooftop as Escape: For Reshma, the rooftop represents being “above it all,” a physical removal from her stressful life. The location symbolizes her desire to transcend her problems—including her feelings for Clio and her unresolved situation with Bash.
Queer Awakening: Both characters share their earliest same-sex crushes, using playful pop-culture references (elves, werewolf doll) to normalize their experiences. The moment of pinky touching acts as a gentle, symbolic sexual awakening for their relationship.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 27 is a turning point in the Reshma–Clio subplot and in the larger love triangle. It confirms that Clio is growing disenchanted with Bash and that her feelings for Reshma are real, not just curiosity. The chapter also deepens Reshma's characterization, showing her loneliness and desire for genuine connection. By ending with them leaving together, the chapter sets up romantic and dramatic stakes for the next part of the story.

Study Questions and Answers

Why does Reshma invite Clio to the William Vale rooftop, and what does this location symbolize for her?
Reshma invites Clio because she wants to share a place that makes her feel on top of the city, above her stressful life. The rooftop symbolizes escapism and the performative luxury of her world, but her willingness to bring Clio there shows trust and a desire for intimacy.
How does Clio describe her boyfriend without naming him, and what does this reveal about her feelings?
Clio describes him as artistic, weird, sweet, but now annoying and exhausting, with a persona like “the only Black guy in an emo band.” This reveals she is growing tired of him and questioning their long-distance relationship, opening the door for a potential breakup.
What do Reshma and Clio reveal about their sexual awakenings, and how does this moment advance their relationship?
Reshma had a crush on Lord of the Rings elves; Clio on Clawdeen Wolf from Monster High. Sharing these personal experiences builds intimacy and validates their mutual attraction. The conversation directly leads to Clio admitting her queer curiosity is specifically about Reshma, which culminates in their physical pinky touch.