Chapter Thirty-Nine: The Double Date That Backfires
⚠️ 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
At a bowling alley, Bailey and Charlie are on a double date with Eli and Dana. Bailey struggles to connect with Eli, while Charlie’s jokes are ignored by Dana. Both partners gravitate toward each other, leaving Bailey and Charlie alone. Charlie admits Dana showed no interest; Bailey confesses Eli was equally aloof. In the car, Charlie proposes they attend their fall formals together as friends. Bailey agrees, ignoring her deeper feelings. Later at Target, a shared popcorn moment and a dress try-on lead to a charged exchange. Charlie tells Bailey she knows what he meant, then abruptly changes the subject. The chapter ends with a text from Zack, asking about a past event.
Key Events
- Bailey and Charlie arrive at the bowling alley with Eli and Dana.
- Throughout the game, Eli and Dana flirt exclusively with each other.
- Bailey and Charlie exchange frustrated comments about their dates.
- Charlie steps closer during a conversation, telling Bailey “Don’t you fucking dare” when she jokes about kissing Eli, and declares Moldova is his.
- After bowling, Dana and Eli drive off together, leaving Bailey and Charlie.
- In the car, Charlie jokingly blames Dana for using a love spell on Eli.
- Charlie asks Bailey to be his date for both fall formals; she agrees.
- At Target, Charlie buys popcorn, mixing plain and buttered as Bailey once insisted.
- Bailey tries on a dress; Charlie shoots popcorn over the fitting room wall.
- Charlie compliments the dress but uses odd descriptions, then says “You know what it was” when asked.
- Bailey receives a text from Zack referencing Breaking Bad.
Character Development
Bailey: Her internal conflict deepens. She tries to push down her feelings for Charlie, even encouraging Dana to give him a chance, but realizes she cannot ignore the chemistry. She agrees to the formal plan knowing it risks her heart. Charlie: Shows possessiveness over the “Moldova” kiss and a brief moment of vulnerability when he says “You know what it was.” His abrupt shift to buying a cat toy suggests he is wary of emotional proximity. His proposal for the formals frames it as practical, but his actions (remembering her popcorn preference) reveal he is deeply attentive. Eli and Dana: Function as plot devices; their mutual interest highlights Bailey’s and Charlie’s isolation and forces them together.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Jealousy and Unspoken Attraction: Bailey’s irritation with Dana’s flirting and Charlie’s intense response to the Moldova joke show jealousy they cannot admit. Forced Proximity: The failed double date strands Bailey and Charlie, creating situations where their bond is tested. Popcorn Exchange: A motif of intimacy—Charlie remembers Bailey’s specific request (plain and buttered mixed) from their earlier connection; the popcorn raining down mirrors playful familiar ease. The Formal Proposal: Symbolizes a will-they-won’t-they step: a public commitment to attend dances together while pretending it is just friendly.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter catalyses Bailey’s recognition that friendship with Charlie is not enough. She openly admits to herself that she feels more than friendship. Charlie’s jealous outburst and the charged Target moment raise the romantic stakes. The formal agreement sets up future chapters for heightened tension and potential confession. The text from Zack introduces a possible secondary conflict.
Study Questions and Answers
1. How does the double date highlight the growing disconnect between what Bailey says she wants and what she actually feels?
Bailey tells herself she wants Charlie to be happy with Dana, but every time Dana flirts with him, Bailey feels a stomachache. She tries to steer the conversation toward Eli, yet she only feels alive when interacting with Charlie. Her internal monologue admits she is failing to suppress her feelings.
2. Why does Charlie react so strongly when Bailey jokingly offers to kiss Eli, and what does “Moldova is mine” signify?
Charlie’s response—stepping close, clenching his jaw, and forbidding her from using the Moldova move—shows a possessive, jealous streak that contradicts his claims of only wanting friendship. The phrase “Moldova is mine” asserts a claim on the intimate memory they share, signalling that he does not want her to repeat that experience with anyone else.
3. What is the significance of the popcorn scene at Target?
Charlie remembering that Bailey likes her popcorn mixed (plain and buttered) demonstrates his deep attention to her details. The playful popcorn throwing over the fitting room wall recreates the easy, affectionate banter they share. However, his serious tone when he says “You know what it was” and then abruptly leaves to buy a cat toy shows he is pulling back from the emotional intensity, afraid of where the moment might lead.