Chapter 72: Clifton and the Narrator's Falling Out — Summary & 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.
Chapter 72: Clifton & I Fall Off – Summary and Analysis
Summary
The chapter opens with the narrator listing Clifton's grievances. He is upset that she talked to Kiyana during a basketball game, that she declined his invitation to an all-night diner because of her curfew, and that she ignored his request to skip playing ball. A week passes without either of them calling the other. The narrator reflects that she has been hanging out with Clifton for a month and already feels overwhelmed by the relationship.
She still misses Lay Li, but the pain is fading. She describes the initial heartbreak as a burning sensation in her chest, like the feeling after doing a series of burpees—shaking, dropping to the ground, wanting to stay there. But she knows she has to jump up, ignore the burn, and keep moving. Eventually the burn becomes a warm memory. This is how she now feels about Lay Li, especially as she spends more time with Kiyana.
The narrator worries about whether she is funny enough or talks too much or too little when she is with Kiyana. It is hard to be friends with someone when you are still figuring out who you are. But Kiyana is easygoing. She wears her brother's hoodies and the same worn pair of black-and-white Chuck Taylors. She is pretty but doesn't seem to care about the effect she has on boys who stutter when they see her.
After the narrator plays pickup basketball with Tyrone and others, Kiyana waits at the entrance gate and walks her home so she can change before they head to the community center. They don't go to the pool as much because Kiyana can't swim. Instead, they go to the mall for the second time in a week. Kiyana finds the mall boring, saying people just come to look at each other and talk smack. She suggests going to the center in Meadowview, a part of town the narrator doesn't normally visit. It is hard to get there because it's between her usual bus stops.
Kiyana shows up in her usual outfit—a faded gray hoodie and hastily applied red lipstick that is smeared on her mouth. The narrator hands her a napkin, then runs into the bathroom for a quick shower. When she comes out, she realizes Essa has just walked in. The narrator hurries to get dressed and get out of the house before Essa can ruin her day or her almost friendship. She moves like a hurricane, says a quick “Hey” to Essa, and signals to Kiyana that they should leave. Essa just stares at them and shrugs as Kiyana jumps up and walks to the front door, her eyes down.
A block away, Kiyana's energy lifts. They walk past a dance studio where the pep squad girls for the city rehearse. The narrator stops to watch them, but some girls snicker at them. The narrator's eyes become “slit black beams,” ready to swing. The snickers turn to sucked teeth, then silence. The narrator points out that Kiyana's lipstick is still smeared, and Kiyana wipes it with her sleeve. Kiyana then remarks, “Girl. Your sister is mean.” The narrator looks at her and laughs—so loud they have to move away from the window. She laughs until she hiccups, until her laughter has a laugh of its own, until her face hurts. Kiyana first looks concerned, then laughs too, and they fall into each other giggling. They walk away toward the center, the jokes writing themselves, knowing the punch line before they hear it.
Key Events
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Clifton expresses three specific grievances: the narrator talking to Kiyana during a game, declining the all-night diner due to curfew, and ignoring his request to skip ball.
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A week passes without either the narrator or Clifton calling each other.
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The narrator reflects on missing Lay Li less, using a burpee metaphor to describe the fading pain of heartbreak.
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The narrator spends time with Kiyana, who wears her brother's hoodies and worn sneakers.
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After pickup basketball, Kiyana waits at the gate and walks the narrator home.
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They avoid the pool because Kiyana can't swim, so they go to the mall twice.
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Kiyana suggests going to the community center in Meadowview, an unfamiliar area for the narrator.
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At the house, Essa arrives, and the narrator rushes to leave. Essa stares and shrugs as they depart.
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Passing a dance studio, girls snicker at them; the narrator stands up to them with a fierce look.
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The narrator points out Kiyana's smeared lipstick, and Kiyana wipes it with her sleeve.
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Kiyana comments that the narrator's sister is mean, triggering uncontrollable laughter in the narrator.
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They laugh together and continue toward the center.
Character Development
The Narrator: This chapter shows the narrator moving away from her past relationship with Lay Li and embracing a new friendship with Kiyana. She acknowledges feeling overwhelmed by her relationship with Clifton, indicating a growing awareness of her own boundaries. Her worry about being funny enough or talking too much reveals her insecurity in forming new connections. However, she also shows protective instincts when she stands up to the snickering girls at the dance studio. Her laughter at Kiyana's comment about Essa is a release—a moment of genuine joy that signals emotional healing.
Kiyana: Kiyana is portrayed as chill and unbothered by appearances. She wears her brother's hoodies and worn sneakers, and she doesn't care about the effect she has on boys. She is also considerate, waiting for the narrator after basketball and suggesting activities that accommodate her own limitations (like avoiding the pool). Her comment about Essa being mean shows she is observant and willing to speak her mind, which helps break the tension.
Clifton: Though absent from the scene, Clifton's grievances reveal his possessiveness and expectations. He is upset that the narrator talks to Kiyana, declines the diner, and ignores his request to skip ball. His silence for a week suggests a communication breakdown, highlighting the fragility of their relationship.
Essa: Essa appears briefly but has a significant impact. Her presence makes the narrator rush to leave, and her stare and shrug convey a dismissive attitude. Kiyana's comment that Essa is mean confirms the narrator's fear that Essa could ruin her mood or her friendship.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
The Burpee Metaphor: The narrator compares her heartbreak over Lay Li to the physical exertion of burpees—the burning chest, shaking knees, and the urge to stay on the ground. But she emphasizes the need to jump up, ignore the burn, and keep going. This metaphor symbolizes the process of healing: the pain eventually becomes a warm memory, and the narrator can breathe again. It also connects to the theme of resilience and moving forward.
The Pool vs. the Mall: The narrator avoids the pool because Kiyana can't swim, so they go to the mall instead. This choice reflects the narrator's willingness to adapt to a friend's needs, even if it means giving up something she enjoys. It also symbolizes the shift from a familiar, comfortable activity (swimming) to a more mundane one (mall), suggesting that new friendships require compromise.
The Dance Studio and Judgment: The girls at the dance studio snicker at the narrator and Kiyana, representing external judgment and social pressure. The narrator's fierce reaction—her eyes becoming “slit black beams”—shows her protective instinct and her refusal to be intimidated. This moment also highlights the theme of standing up to mockery and the importance of solidarity between friends.
Laughter as Release: The uncontrollable laughter that follows Kiyana's comment about Essa serves as a cathartic release. It breaks the tension from the dance studio encounter and allows the narrator to let go of her worries. The shared laughter strengthens their bond and signals a turning point in the narrator's emotional state.
Exploring Unfamiliar Territory: The community center in Meadowview is in a part of town the narrator doesn't normally visit. This represents stepping outside one's comfort zone, both geographically and emotionally. It aligns with the narrator's journey of self-discovery and her willingness to embrace new experiences with Kiyana.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 72 is a pivotal moment in the narrator's emotional arc. It marks a clear break from her past relationship with Lay Li and her growing connection with Kiyana. The chapter shows the narrator actively moving on—she misses Lay Li less, she spends time with a new friend, and she finds joy in shared laughter. It also highlights her growth in standing up to mockery and her ability to protect those she cares about. The falling out with Clifton, though not fully resolved, signals a shift in the narrator's priorities: she is no longer willing to ignore her own needs to please him. This chapter reinforces themes of healing, friendship, and identity formation, making it a key step in the narrator's journey toward self-acceptance.
Study Questions and Answers
1. How does the burpee metaphor illustrate the narrator's feelings about Lay Li?
The burpee metaphor compares the pain of heartbreak to the physical exhaustion of doing burpees. The narrator describes the initial burning in her chest, the shaking knees, and the urge to stay on the ground. But she emphasizes the need to jump up, ignore the burn, and keep moving. This illustrates that the pain is temporary and that healing requires effort. By the end of the metaphor, the burn becomes a warm memory, showing that the narrator is moving past the acute grief and toward acceptance.
2. What does the narrator's reaction to the dance studio girls reveal about her character?
When the girls snicker at her and Kiyana, the narrator's eyes become “slit black beams,” ready to swing. This reaction reveals her protective instinct and her refusal to be intimidated by others' judgment. It shows that she is willing to stand up for herself and her friend, even in an unfamiliar setting. This moment also demonstrates her growing confidence and her ability to confront negativity without backing down.
3. How does the chapter portray the theme of moving on?
The chapter portrays moving on as a gradual process. The narrator acknowledges that she still misses Lay Li, but the pain is lessening. She spends time with Kiyana, engages in new activities, and even explores unfamiliar neighborhoods. The laughter at the end of the chapter is a clear sign of emotional release and joy, indicating that she is embracing the present rather than dwelling on the past. The falling out with Clifton also suggests that she is letting go of relationships that don't serve her, further reinforcing the theme of moving forward.
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