Chapter Thirteen Summary, Key Moments, and Study Notes

⚠️ 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

The chapter opens with Brad driving home after dropping Celine off. The earlier high of their kiss has evaporated, replaced by a hollow disappointment. He replays the conversation in his head, particularly his clumsy attempt to ask if she trusts him and his immediate backtracking into a kiss. He berates himself for pushing too hard at a vulnerable moment, knowing Celine's deep-seated distrust of others. His intrusive thoughts spiral as he drives, fixating on worst-case scenarios, though he manages to talk himself down by noting there are no bridges on his route.

Once home, he ignores a call from Jordan while parking, then calls him back. Brad reveals that his practice expedition score was 4.79, giving him a genuine shot at the scholarship. Instead of excitement, he feels dread. He admits to Jordan that he doesn't actually want to study law—that it would be fine but not enough. When Jordan asks what he wants instead, Brad confesses he's been trying to write a book. Jordan reacts with enthusiasm, but Brad is plagued by self-doubt, citing statistics about low book sales and the small percentage of authors who make a living. Jordan counters by pointing out Brad's past academic success and encourages him to apply to study English instead. Brad worries about his father's reaction, imagining disappointment rather than anger. Jordan insists Brad should live his own life. After a long conversation, Brad decides to apply for an English degree, though he keeps the decision to himself for now.

He joins his family in the living room, where they're playing a game on his brother Mason's Switch. His mum asks about the meeting, and Brad gives a vague answer, omitting the kiss and his internal turmoil. His dad assumes the scholarship is in the bag, and Brad says only “maybe.” He decides to wait until he has acceptance letters before telling his parents, rationalizing that time fixes everything. That thought triggers an epiphany: if time fixes everything, it could fix his relationship with Celine. He resolves to prove his trustworthiness through patience and consistent actions rather than words. The chapter ends with Brad feeling optimistic, challenging Mason to a game, and grinning as he accepts the challenge.

Key Events

Brad drops Celine off and immediately regrets how he handled their conversation, feeling he gave away too much without securing commitment.
He drives home while battling intrusive thoughts and ignores a call from Jordan.
Brad calls Jordan back and reveals his practice expedition score of 4.79, which puts him in contention for the scholarship.
He admits he doesn't want to study law and confesses his secret ambition to write a book.
Jordan encourages Brad to apply to study English, pointing out his strong prior grades.
Brad decides to apply but keeps the decision from his family, planning to wait for acceptance letters.
He joins his family for a game on the Switch, hiding his internal shift.
Brad has an epiphany that time fixes everything, leading him to a plan: prove his trustworthiness to Celine through patience and consistent actions.

Character Development

This chapter is a turning point for Brad's internal arc. He moves from self-recrimination about his interaction with Celine to a clearer understanding of his own desires. His conversation with Jordan forces him to confront the gap between what he's expected to do (study law) and what he actually wants (write). Brad's fear of failure is palpable—he cites statistics and his inability to finish a book as evidence he shouldn't try. Yet Jordan's unwavering belief in him, combined with his own memory of Celine's earlier support, gives him the courage to make a decision.

Brad's relationship with his family is also illuminated. He loves them but feels the weight of his father's expectations. He chooses to delay the difficult conversation, a decision that shows both his anxiety and his strategic, avoidant side. The epiphany about time fixing everything reveals his optimism and his willingness to take a different approach with Celine—instead of pushing for immediate commitment, he'll demonstrate his reliability over time. This marks a maturation in his understanding of trust: he recognizes that words aren't enough and that actions must prove his intentions.

Celine, though absent, looms large. Brad's thoughts about her trust issues and his own fear of commitment drive his actions. He acknowledges that he cares for her deeply and that her lack of trust is a barrier he must overcome. His plan to be patient is a direct response to her belief that he'll leave.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Trust and Commitment: The chapter explores the tension between wanting commitment and fearing it. Brad's internal conflict about his kiss and his subsequent plan to prove trustworthiness highlight the theme that trust must be earned through consistent behavior.
Parental Expectations vs. Personal Passion: Brad's dread about the scholarship and his secret desire to write illustrate the conflict between following a prescribed path and pursuing one's own dreams. His father's anticipated disappointment is a powerful motivator for secrecy.
Self-Doubt and Intrusive Thoughts: Brad's mental spirals—about driving off a bridge, about his book's quality, about his chances—showcase his tendency to catastrophize. Jordan's reminder that intrusive thoughts aren't the boss of him becomes a key coping mechanism.
Patience as Healing: The epiphany that “time fixes everything” becomes a motif. Brad applies it both to his family situation (waiting to tell his parents) and to his relationship with Celine (proving himself over time).
The Book as Symbol: Brad's unfinished manuscript represents his unfulfilled creative ambition and his fear of failure. It's a tangible manifestation of the risk he's afraid to take.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is pivotal because it solidifies Brad's character growth and sets up the central conflict of the second half of the novel. His decision to apply for an English degree is a major plot development that will likely create tension with his family and affect his scholarship prospects. More importantly, his epiphany about proving trust through patience directly addresses the core romantic conflict with Celine. It shifts his approach from impulsive, emotionally charged gestures to a more deliberate, long-term strategy. This chapter also deepens the reader's understanding of Brad's internal world—his fears, his dreams, and his love for Celine—making his subsequent actions more meaningful.

Study Questions and Answers

Why does Brad feel dread instead of excitement about his high practice expedition score?

Brad's score of 4.79 means he has a real chance at the scholarship, which would bring him closer to a law degree. He realizes he doesn't actually want to study law; the prospect fills him with dread because it would lock him into a path he doesn't care about. The score represents success in something he doesn't value, highlighting the disconnect between external achievement and personal fulfillment.

How does Jordan's perspective help Brad make a decision about his future?

Jordan listens without judgment and points out that Brad's past academic success (an A* in English) makes him a viable candidate for an English degree. He also reframes Brad's self-doubt, reminding him that intrusive thoughts aren't the boss of him. Jordan's unwavering belief in Brad's abilities—calling him “Brad Graeme” as if that explains everything—gives Brad the confidence to apply, even though he's scared.

What does Brad's epiphany about time reveal about his approach to his relationship with Celine?

Brad realizes that if time can heal other problems, it can also heal the rift between him and Celine. He decides to stop trying to convince her he's trustworthy with words and instead prove it through patient, consistent actions. This shows a shift from impulsive behavior to a more mature understanding that trust is built over time, not declared in a single moment.