Chapter 35 (Justin): Barfing, Bonding, and the Fourth Date

⚠️ 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

Justin catches the same stomach bug Emma had. For hours they lie in her bed, pausing a movie each time he retches into the bathroom trash can. Emma rubs his back and jokes about their “date,” and Justin insists he regrets nothing. As his nausea slowly improves, they dream about all the food they will order when healthy. Emma asks if this counts as their fourth date—the one that, according to their original agreement, would trigger a breakup. Justin’s mood drops, but they reluctantly agree the evening meets their criteria (eating together, watching a movie). Yet no kiss happens, and both seem relieved to keep the loophole open. By hour six Justin can keep down food; they nap, have soup, and finally settle in for another movie. As Emma fetches him tea, Justin gazes around the impersonal room and wonders if she ever tires of saying goodbye. When she returns, they continue touching—knees pressed, back rubbed—even though he knows this intimacy will cost him when she leaves.

Key Events

Justin becomes violently ill with the same virus Emma had; he uses her bathroom trash can.
They pause the movie each time he vomits, turning the ordeal into a shared, humorous experience.
Emma asks whether the evening qualifies as their fourth date; Justin’s mood sours.
They list the foods they will order once healthy, including Sonic ice, ribs, Punch Pizza, and Thai food.
After six hours, Justin can keep down food; they nap, eat soup, and watch a second movie.
While Emma is out of the room, Justin reflects on her transient life and his own hatred of goodbye.
The physical intimacy (touching, cuddling) continues even after he feels better, breaking their earlier unspoken distance.

Character Development

Justin: Shows extreme vulnerability—letting Emma see him sick, helpless, and emotionally raw. His internal monologue reveals that he would “get sick all over again” for her gentle touch. His fear of goodbye intensifies as he realizes how much he already cares.
Emma: Transitions from patient to caretaker. Her teasing (“Vomit, lice, drunks, the Toilet King”) masks genuine tenderness. She initiates the fourth-date question, showing she is thinking about the rules she herself created—perhaps hoping to break them.
Relationship dynamic: The illness strips away performative romance. They laugh, nap, and hold each other without sexual pressure, deepening their bond in a way that feels more meaningful than a typical date.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Sickness as intimacy: Shared illness becomes a vehicle for vulnerability and caretaking. Justin’s physical weakness allows Emma to nurture him, and he accepts her help without pretense.
The fourth-date trap: The arbitrary rule that was supposed to keep emotions at bay becomes a source of dread. Both characters want to redefine what “counts,” revealing their unwillingness to let go.
Transience and goodbye: Justin’s observation of the impersonal room mirrors Emma’s rootless lifestyle. His hatred of goodbye—having lost his parents and soon Emma—anchors the chapter’s emotional weight.
“Get It Out of Your System” energy: Justin recognizes that a fling won’t cure his feelings, yet he cannot stop touching her. The phrase embodies the tension between wanting a temporary escape and fearing permanent attachment.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter strips away any remaining pretense of a casual arrangement. By having Justin fall ill, the story forces both characters to care for each other in a mundane, unglamorous setting—proving their connection is not just physical. The fourth-date question introduces a ticking clock: if they acknowledge this as date four, they are supposed to end things. Yet neither acts on the rule. Instead, they double down on intimacy (cuddling, touching) and dream of future meals together. Justin’s reflection on goodbye elevates the stakes: he knows he is falling for someone who will leave. The chapter cements that the central conflict is no longer whether they like each other, but whether they can overcome the built-in expiration date.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Justin’s mood drop when Emma asks if this counts as their fourth date?
Justin realizes that under the terms of their original agreement, four dates means they must stop seeing each other to avoid falling in love. He does not want this to be their last time together, and the question forces him to confront the impending end of their relationship.

2. How does the physical setting of Emma’s room contribute to Justin’s thoughts about her life?
The room is impersonal—she did not choose the bedspread, lamp, or towels. Justin connects this to her transient lifestyle, living out of two suitcases. He wonders if she is tired of never belonging anywhere, which mirrors his own fear of always saying goodbye.

3. What does Justin mean by “Get It Out of Your System energy,” and why does he reject that approach?
The phrase describes the idea of a short-lived, passionate fling that would burn off pent-up feelings. Justin rejects it because he knows a single night would only make him want more of what he cannot have. He recognizes that casual intimacy will not quell his growing attachment; it will deepen it.