Chapter 15: Pretending and Planning

⚠️ 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

Sadie and Julius are called back to Principal Miller’s office. To convince the principal that their forced co-captaincy has worked, they put on an exaggerated show of friendship—flattering each other, finishing each other’s sentences, and insisting they are now inseparable. Principal Miller seems genuinely moved by their performance and assigns them a final task: propose a few budget‑friendly senior trip destinations by the next morning.

They meet in a cramped library study room. Julius arrives late, carrying black coffee. Sadie has prepared a whiteboard with options. The first suggestion, a beach retreat, is immediately rejected by Julius. He argues that a scenic beach would encourage hookups among classmates. When Sadie dismisses this, Julius physically demonstrates his point: he brushes a strand of hair behind her ear and leans close to her neck, his breath warm against her skin. Sadie shoves him away, flustered.

They continue to argue over alternatives—a glass mountain lodge, a farm, a city hotel, a national park—disagreeing on every option. Exhausted, Sadie reminds him that once the proposal is done, they will never have to speak again. A strange expression crosses Julius’s face. Without further debate, he agrees to the lakeside location Sadie had earlier suggested. He stands, grabs his coffee, and says their collaboration is over before leaving. Sadie is left unsettled by his abrupt concession and her own disappointment.

Key Events

Sadie and Julius are summoned to the principal’s office for a follow‑up check.
They overact their newfound friendship to persuade Principal Miller.
Miller tasks them with planning the senior trip, due the next morning.
They meet in a soundproof library study room; Julius arrives late with coffee.
Julius vetoes the beach destination by arguing it is “too romantic.”
He physically demonstrates his point: touching Sadie’s hair and leaning close to her neck.
Sadie pushes him away but feels both anger and disappointment.
They clash over a glass mountain lodge, a farm, a hotel, and a national park.
Sadie mentions that finishing the proposal will end their forced partnership.
Julius abruptly accepts the lakeside option and declares the task complete, then leaves.

Character Development

Sadie reveals a conflicted response to physical intimacy: while she publicly rejects Julius’s advances, she privately acknowledges a pang of disappointment when he stops. Her body’s reaction—racing heartbeat, heat, a “low, hoarse sound”—shows that her hostility masks a growing attraction. This chapter marks the first time she admits (to herself) that her annoyance is mingled with curiosity.

Julius, usually smug and argumentative, shows unexpected vulnerability. After Sadie says the torture will end once the proposal is done, his face changes, and he yields to her suggestion without further fight. His final words, “Congratulations, Sadie. The torture is over,” carry a bitter undertone, suggesting that he may not be as eager to be free of her as he claims.

The exchange in the library demonstrates that their dynamic is shifting from pure rivalry to a charged, uncertain closeness. Both characters are forced to acknowledge the physical tension that has built since the party kiss.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Forced proximity: The small study room and the shared assignment push Sadie and Julius into an intimate space where personal boundaries are tested.
Performance vs. reality: The elaborate act in the principal’s office contrasts sharply with the unguarded moments in the library, highlighting the gap between what they show others and what they feel.
Touch as communication: Julius’s hair‑brushing gesture and his near‑kiss are not verbal arguments but physical demonstrations of attraction, conveying what words cannot.
The beach as a symbol of romantic potential: Julius’s objection to the beach—and his vivid description of sunset, music, and touch—frames the location as a catalyst for romantic encounters, which both frightens and intrigues Sadie.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 15 transforms the public fiction of friendship into a private, palpable reality. The library scene is the most intimate moment between Sadie and Julius since the kiss, raising the stakes of their forced partnership. The chapter also sets up a narrative pivot: the senior trip planning creates a shared investment, ensuring they remain tangled even after their assigned task is complete. Sadie’s internal conflict—her shame at being affected, her disappointment when he pulls away—signals that her feelings are deepening beyond mere rivalry.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Julius physically demonstrate his point about the beach instead of simply arguing?
Julius uses physical touch to prove that even a small, casual gesture can feel romantic. By brushing her hair and leaning close, he aims to show that a scenic setting would amplify such moments among classmates. The demonstration also reveals his own desire to break through Sadie’s rational defenses and test her reaction.

2. What does Sadie’s disappointment at Julius’s quick agreement reveal about her feelings?
After she says the torture will end, Sadie expects a fight. Julius’s sudden capitulation leaves her feeling like she has “missed a step,” implying she does not truly want their forced interactions to stop. Her disappointment suggests she has grown used to—and perhaps even looked forward to—their verbal sparring and charged encounters.

3. How does the library setting contribute to the tension in this chapter?
The study room is tiny and soundproofed, forcing them shoulder‑to‑shoulder with no escape. The insulated space eliminates external distractions and audience, making every whisper and touch more intense. The lack of privacy (despite physical proximity) creates a pressure cooker where unspoken attraction can briefly surface.