Chapter Six: Present Day Bailey - Summary and Analysis

⚠️ 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 (Complete and Chronological)

Bailey is still struggling to move on from her ex-boyfriend Zack. She convinces her best friend Nekesa to stake out the Starbucks where Zack used to take her every Saturday morning, hoping to see if he has replaced the ritual with his new girlfriend, Kelsie Kirchner. Nekesa humors her despite thinking the behavior is unhealthy. When Zack and Kelsie walk in holding hands and looking happy, Bailey is devastated. She witnesses Zack’s familiar gesture of placing his hand on Kelsie’s lower back, a ghost of their former relationship. Nekesa urges her to leave, but Bailey insists on waiting until the couple leaves to avoid an awkward encounter. Once they are gone, Bailey receives a text from her mother, Emily, who jokes about praying for Zack’s bowels to loosen. The lighthearted exchange helps lift Bailey’s mood slightly. Bailey and Nekesa then head to Target and Cane’s before starting their new jobs, and Bailey texts her mom about a future “batter party” (cookie-dough night).

Later that morning, Bailey and Nekesa begin their first day at Planet Funnn, a massive new entertainment hotel. They are subjected to an overly enthusiastic training session that includes a group trampoline “pump-up jump-up.” Bailey is skeptical of the workplace culture. During the bouncing, Nekesa alerts her to a cute guy on the Jupiter Jumpoline who keeps looking at Bailey. When Bailey finally glances over, she gasps in shock. The guy is “Mr. Nothing,” the mysterious and irritating boy from the past whose name she never learned but who she clearly recalls from their earlier confrontations (as seen in previous chapters). The chapter ends with Bailey’s internal panic: “No, no, no, no, noooooo. It couldn’t be. ... Mr. Nothing.”

Key Events

• Bailey and Nekesa spy on Zack and Kelsie at Starbucks, confirming Zack has replicated the Saturday coffee date with his new girlfriend.
• Bailey’s mother texts her with darkly humorous encouragement, showing their close bond.
• Bailey starts her new job at Planet Funnn alongside Nekesa, attending a high-energy training session.
• During the trampoline warm-up, Nekesa points out a guy who is checking Bailey out.
• Bailey recognizes the guy as “Mr. Nothing,” the boy she encountered in earlier chapters (the one who made a bet with her on an airplane).
• The chapter ends with Bailey’s shocked realization that the person she least expected to see again is now a coworker.

Character Development

• Bailey: Continues to struggle with heartbreak, oscillating between wanting to move on and being unable to resist checking up on Zack. Her decision to take a new job shows a desire for change, even if she is skeptical about the workplace. The reappearance of Mr. Nothing introduces a new emotional trigger—one that may challenge her fixation on Zack.
• Nekesa: Serves as Bailey’s grounding force, calling out her unhealthy behavior while offering loyal support. Her friendship is a key anchor for Bailey.
• Mom (Emily): Provides comic relief and emotional warmth. Her playful texts reveal a mother-daughter relationship built on shared humor and unconditional support.
• Mr. Nothing: Though he only appears briefly at the end, his presence is significant. He is clearly someone from Bailey’s past who provoked strong feelings (annoyance, intrigue). His sudden reappearance at her new job sets up a central conflict or connection for future chapters.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

• Moving On: Bailey’s staking-out of the Starbucks and her reaction to seeing Zack highlight her difficulty letting go. The new job represents a fresh start, but the encounter with Mr. Nothing suggests that moving on may involve unexpected detours rather than a clean break.
• Friendship Loyalty: Nekesa’s willingness to accompany Bailey on a sad mission reflects the theme of steadfast friendship. Similarly, Bailey’s group chat with Eva and Emma (mentioned as friends who enable her wallowing) underscores the comfort of having multiple support systems.
• Mother-Daughter Bond: The text exchanges between Bailey and her mom are warm and humorous, contrasting with Bailey’s romantic disappointment. The mother’s silly prayer about Zack’s bowels shows how family can lighten emotional pain.
• Nostalgia and Ritual: The Starbucks ritual is a symbol of the past relationship. Bailey clings to it even after the breakup, illustrating how shared habits can become painful reminders.
• New Beginnings: Planet Funnn, with its artificial optimism, contrasts with Bailey’s cynical mood. The job symbolizes a forced new start, and the appearance of Mr. Nothing suggests that the “fun” will not be as simple as the hotel’s marketing promises.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter marks a turning point in the narrative. Bailey’s fixation on Zack is fully exposed, but the chapter ends with a shocking twist: the arrival of Mr. Nothing, the boy from the plane bet who clearly made an impression. By placing them as coworkers at Planet Funnn, the story sets up a forced proximity scenario that will likely drive future conflict, banter, and potential romance. The chapter also deepens our understanding of Bailey’s support network—her mother and Nekesa—and shows her taking a step toward independence (a new job) even as she remains emotionally tangled. Readers are left with a cliffhanger that shifts attention from Zack to this new dynamic.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Nekesa agree to go to Starbucks with Bailey, and what does her reaction reveal about their friendship?
   Answer: Nekesa goes to support her friend even though she thinks the behavior is unhealthy. She calls Bailey out gently (“This is seriously unhealthy”) but stays by her side, showing that she values Bailey’s emotional needs over her own judgment. This reveals a friendship based on patience and loyalty, not just agreement.

2. What does the text exchange with Bailey’s mom reveal about their relationship?
   Answer: The exchange shows a playful, close bond. Bailey’s mother uses humor (the fake prayer hotline) to lighten Bailey’s mood, and Bailey immediately updates her on plans. The mother’s offer to buy brownie ingredients for a “batter party” indicates that shared rituals (movie-and-cookie-dough nights) are an important part of their connection.

3. Why is Bailey’s recognition of the trampoline guy so shocking, and how does it change the direction of the chapter?
   Answer: Bailey’s gasp reveals that the guy is someone from her past (referred to as “Mr. Nothing”), likely the boy from the airplane bet in earlier chapters. His presence at her new job creates immediate tension and curiosity, shifting the chapter’s focus from Zack to this unexpected new character. It promises that the story will now involve forced interaction between Bailey and someone she previously dismissed, potentially challenging her emotional state and sparking new developments.