Chapter 6: Five Years Ago – End of Junior Year Summary and Analysis
⚠️ 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
Blair is about to leave school when Declan intercepts her, panicked about a wave of promposals from girls. He confesses he wants to avoid being asked and suggests they leave immediately. As a group of girls approaches, Blair asks Declan who he would rather go with; he whispers that he'd rather go with her. Seizing the moment, Blair drops to one knee and loudly proposes to him in a fake promposal. Declan plays along, shouting his acceptance. Their performance scatters the other girls. Afterward, Declan calls it a bit, but they agree they must actually attend prom together to keep up the lie. Blair is left wondering whether the moment meant more to him than just a performance.
Key Events
- Declan intercepts Blair near the school exit, panicking about promposals.
- Declan explains a group of girls is asking his teammates with pun-filled posters.
- They try to flee through the parking lot but are spotted by three approaching girls.
- Blair questions Declan about which girl he would choose; he replies he would rather go with her.
- In response, Blair stages a dramatic fake promposal, shouting for everyone to hear.
- Declan enthusiastically accepts, and the group of girls disperses.
- After the performance, Declan treats it as a bit, but they agree to follow through and go to prom together.
Character Development
- Blair: This chapter reveals Blair's internal conflict. She has long acted as if she is separate from the girls who chase Declan, but she acknowledges the thought of being "just another girl" hurts. Her decision to create the fake promposal shows her quick wit and willingness to protect Declan, but it also exposes her hidden desire for a real romantic connection. The moment leaves her questioning whether Declan's words were sincere or just part of the act.
- Declan: Declan's avoidance of promposals highlights his discomfort with superficial attention. By confiding in Blair and going along with her scheme, he demonstrates his trust in her. His whispered preference to go with her appears genuine, but his quick reframing of the event as a "bit" suggests he is either unaware of or unwilling to acknowledge his own feelings.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Performance vs. authenticity: The entire promposal is a staged performance to deceive others. Yet within that performance, Declan's whispered confession and Blair's sincere smile hint at real emotions. The chapter questions whether acting can sometimes reveal hidden truths.
- Unspoken feelings: Neither character openly admits romantic interest. Blair's internal monologue contrasts with her outwardly playful actions, underscoring the theme of suppressed emotion.
- The letterman jacket: Declan throws his jacket over Blair to hide her identity, a gesture that physically protects her while also symbolizing a possessive, intimate bond. The jacket later becomes a comfort as Blair wears it during their escape.
Why This Chapter Matters
This flashback establishes the origin of Blair and Declan's prom date, a key event in their history. It deepens the reader's understanding of Blair's long-held feelings and Declan's ambiguous behavior. The "fake promposal" becomes a turning point that will affect their friendship in the present timeline. The chapter also reinforces how both characters use humor and performance to avoid confronting their true emotions, setting up future conflicts.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Declan want to leave school quickly at the start of the chapter?
Declan is fleeing from a group of girls who are approaching with promposal posters. He feels overwhelmed by the attention and does not want to be asked publicly.
2. What does Blair's decision to stage a fake promposal reveal about her character?
It shows her loyalty to Declan and her quick thinking. It also reveals her hidden hope that their relationship could be more than friendship, as she secretly wishes the promposal were real.
3. How does Declan's reaction after the promposal complicate the meaning of the event?
By calling it a "bit" and emphasizing that they must follow through to avoid being "liars," Declan downplays the emotional weight of the moment. This leaves Blair—and the reader—uncertain whether his earlier words were genuine or simply part of the act.