Chapter 28: A Candid Talk and a Planetarium Confession

⚠️ 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 Pietra’s Sweet Tooth, Ace abruptly closes The Scarlet Letter and initiates a serious conversation. Karina fears he wants to end their study sessions, but instead he challenges her tendency to put everyone’s needs above her own. She argues that his refusal to apply to Yale is similarly driven by family pressure, pointing out the parallel between her pursuing medicine for her parents and his rebellious decision not to attend college. After a tense exchange, Ace asks Karina to trust him and leads her to the school’s planetarium, which he unlocks with a lock pick set. In the dark, star‑filled room, they sit together and share hidden truths: Ace confesses he wants to study piano performance at NYU, not Yale, and that the piano connects him to his absent mother. Karina admits she wants to study English at Columbia, not medicine. They hold hands in silence, listening to music and reflecting on a poem Karina recites. Both have tears in their eyes, and they promise not to say sorry. Though neither has a solution for their family conflicts, they find comfort in each other’s presence.

Key Events

Ace closes his book and tells Karina they need to talk seriously.
He says she lives for everyone but herself; she initially thinks he wants to stop studying together.
Karina turns the accusation around, stating that Ace’s refusal to apply to Yale is also a response to his parents.
Ace takes Karina to the school planetarium using a lock pick set, revealing it as his favorite place.
In the planetarium, Ace shares that he wants to attend NYU for piano performance, not Yale.
Karina reveals she wants to study English at Columbia, not medicine.
They sit in silence, holding hands, while a soft instrumental song plays.
Karina recites a poem about a ship, wishes, and sinking alongside an anchor.
They mutually agree not to apologize and leave with a deepened bond.

Character Development

Karina opens up about her secret desire to study English, admitting her fear of never having what she wants. She also stands her ground by pointing out Ace’s hypocrisy, showing growth in her ability to challenge others.
Ace becomes vulnerable for the first time, confessing his true college dream and the painful connection between his piano playing and his mother. He reveals his fear of being second to his brother and the exhaustion of trying to please his father.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Family duty vs. personal desire: Both Karina and Ace feel trapped by their parents’ expectations—one through obedience, the other through rebellion.
Vulnerability as intimacy: The planetarium setting allows them to share truths they’ve kept hidden, strengthening their emotional bond.
Space and perspective: The planetarium represents a place to see problems as “infinitesimal,” offering comfort for both characters.
Piano as connection: For Ace, the piano is a link to his mother and a lifeline to his true self, a motif that recurs in later chapters.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is a turning point in Karina and Ace’s relationship. They move from surface‑level study partners to two people who see each other’s deepest struggles. The mutual confession of hidden dreams—Karina’s desire for English and Ace’s for piano performance—creates a foundation of trust. It also highlights the central conflict of the novel: how to honor family while pursuing personal happiness. The planetarium scene symbolizes a safe space where both can be honest without judgment.

Study Questions and Answers

Why does Ace initially bring up the topic of Karina putting others before herself?
Answer: He is frustrated that she never does anything for herself and wants her to see that her willingness to sacrifice her own needs is a problem he can no longer ignore.
How does Karina turn the conversation around to Ace’s own family issues?
Answer: She points out that his refusal to apply to Yale is also driven by his father’s and brother’s expectations, making his situation parallel to hers. He cannot deny it.
What does the planetarium represent for both Karina and Ace in this scene?
Answer: For Ace, it is a place to feel his worries are small in the universe. For Karina, it becomes a safe space where she can confess her secret dream of studying English without fear of judgment.