Chapter Five: Anastasia

Spoiler Notice: This analysis contains full spoilers for Chapter 7 (Chapter Five: Anastasia) of Icebreaker. Proceed only if you’ve read the chapter.

Summary

At Nate’s party, Anastasia descends the stairs with Nate, only to be confronted by her skating partner Aaron, who implies she was hooking up with Nate and makes a cruel remark about “collecting team captains like Pokémon.” Aaron then reveals he knows why the rink was trashed—supposedly a hockey rookie got a girl pregnant and ghosted her—and accuses Nate of lying. Anastasia feels humiliated and foolish because Nate had just promised he didn’t know the reason. Nate tries to clarify that the rumor isn’t true, but Anastasia, already stressed and hungry, snaps at him, declares she’ll stay out of his way, and leaves. She searches for her friend Lola without success, discovers Ryan flirting with Olivia Abbott, and arranges for Olivia to make sure Lola gets home. The next day, Ryan brings lunch to the rink where Anastasia works, and they discuss the previous night. Ryan encourages her not to hold Nate’s lie against him, explaining the burdens of team captaincy, but Anastasia vows to hold a grudge forever.

Key Events

Nate and Anastasia encounter Aaron at the bottom of the stairs; Aaron makes cutting remarks and exposes the rink-trashing rumor.
Aaron tells Anastasia the hockey rink was damaged because a freshman got pregnant and the rookie ghosted her, but Nate denies the pregnancy part.
Anastasia feels betrayed by Nate’s earlier denial of knowing anything and ends their conversation abruptly, declaring she will avoid him.
Anastasia searches for Lola, finds Ryan with Olivia Abbott, and trusts Olivia to get Lola home safely.
The next day, Ryan visits Anastasia at Simone’s Rink with lunch and they discuss the party, Aaron’s behavior, and Nate’s lie.
Ryan defends Nate’s position, but Anastasia stubbornly insists she will hold the grudge against Nate.

Character Development

Anastasia Allen: Her stress over the shared rink situation, her Olympic ambitions, and her low tolerance for disrespect are on full display. She feels foolish for trusting Nate and shows a stubborn, defensive side, but also a caring one when she ensures Lola’s safety. Her conversation with Ryan reveals her commitmentphobia and her tendency to hold grudges.
Nate Hawkins: Though he tries to explain the situation and is concerned about the potential friendship, his earlier lie damages his credibility with Anastasia. He appears genuinely frustrated and caught between protecting his team and being honest.
Aaron: He shifts from biting anger to feigned sweetness, showcasing his Jekyll-and-Hyde personality, especially when drinking. His insult about “collecting team captains” undermines Anastasia’s autonomy and exposes his possessive streak.
Ryan Rothwell: He continues to be a supportive friend and casual partner, offering balanced advice and food. His flirtation with Olivia Abbott suggests a possible romantic subplot and highlights his kind nature.
Olivia Abbott: Introduced more deeply; she is quiet, beautiful, and willing to help a near-stranger (Lola), hinting at her gentle character.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Trust and Deception: The chapter revolves around the broken trust between Anastasia and Nate after he lies about knowing the rink-trashing reason. Aaron’s revelation forces Anastasia to question everyone’s honesty.
Pressure and Stakes: Anastasia’s outburst about her Olympic dreams hanging in the balance because of the shared rink underscores the immense pressure elite athletes face, and her feeling that Nate dismisses her concerns as dramatic.
Public vs. Private Image: Aaron’s ability to switch from charming to cruel in front of others contrasts with Anastasia’s desire to avoid public embarrassment, a recurring motif.
Food as Care and Communication: Ryan bringing lunch—both a salad and indulgent fries—represents his understanding of Anastasia’s need for balance and his way of offering comfort without judgment.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 7 deepens the central conflict by rupturing the fragile goodwill between Anastasia and Nate. The revelation about the rink’s trashing forces Anastasia to confront the hockey team’s impact on her career directly, and Nate’s lie becomes a symbolic barrier to any collaboration. Aaron’s behavior further isolates Anastasia, making her support network (Ryan and even Lola) more important. The chapter also plants seeds for a Ryan-Olivia subplot and solidifies Anastasia’s resolve to avoid the hockey players, setting up future tension. Finally, it humanizes Nate by showing his impossible position as captain, even as Anastasia refuses to forgive him.

Study Questions and Answers

Why does Anastasia feel so betrayed by Nate’s lie, even though she barely knows him?
- Anastasia had started to lower her guard with Nate, perhaps even trust him, during their earlier conversation upstairs. She explicitly asks, “You think a good friendship starts with a lie?” The betrayal stings because she was already raw from Aaron’s earlier hostility and because Nate’s lie hits at the heart of her professional vulnerability. To her, the lie is not just a small omission; it’s a dismissal of the immense pressure she faces.
How does Aaron’s behavior at the party illustrate his complex relationship with Anastasia?
- Aaron oscillates between possessive aggression and feigned apology, as seen when he snarls about team captains and then says “I’m sorry, Stas” slurring. This Jekyll-and-Hyde dynamic shows that he can be a supportive partner but also a manipulative and embarrassing one, especially when alcohol loosens his inhibitions. His actions force Anastasia to question his reliability in her personal life.
What role does Ryan play in this chapter, and how does his advice reflect the story’s larger themes?
- Ryan serves as a grounding force and a source of unconditional support. He brings her food, listens to her complaints, and offers perspective on Nate’s situation as captain. His advice that team captains have to put their team first echoes the theme of divided loyalties and helps Anastasia (and the reader) understand that Nate’s lie was not necessarily personal malice. However, Anastasia’s refusal to accept it shows her stubbornness and the depth of her hurt.