Chapter 21: 5:00 p.m. — The Riva Party Approaches
⚠️ 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
At 5:00 p.m., with the sun setting and the tide low, Kit stands in her bedroom mirror wearing only a bra and light-wash jeans, trying to decide what to wear to the party. The evening feels important to her because she has decided she is going to kiss a boy. Seth will be there, but she hopes to find someone else—anyone else—who might spark a feeling. If no one does, she tells herself she will simply “rip the Band-Aid off” and do it anyway.
As she studies her reflection, Kit realizes she has never really tried to look beautiful before. That was her mother’s thing, and it is her sister Nina’s job. She recalls Nina’s long legs and the way Nina always wore short skirts and shorts. She remembers her mother’s careful grooming routines on her good days—curling her hair into a bob, applying lipstick with precision, choosing just the right top. Both of them always looked so pretty.
Kit pulls out her favorite T-shirt, a faded men’s white crewneck with the word CALI in yellow letters. She likes it because it is soft and the collar has stretched out. But looking at herself, she realizes those are not the best parameters for what she is trying to achieve. Deciding she is out of her league, she grabs her two pairs of shoes and goes to find her sister, the swimsuit model, for guidance.
Key Events
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Kit stands in her bedroom mirror at 5:00 p.m., wearing a bra and light-wash jeans, trying to choose an outfit for the party.
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She sets a goal to kiss a boy that night; Seth will be present, but she hopes to find someone else.
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She reflects that she has never tried to look beautiful before, associating beauty with her mother and her sister Nina.
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She recalls Nina’s short skirts and her mother’s meticulous grooming routines.
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She chooses her favorite CALI T-shirt but doubts it suits her goal.
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Realizing she is out of her depth, she gathers her two pairs of shoes and goes to Nina for help.
Character Development
This chapter offers a rare, intimate look at Kit’s inner world. Up to this point, Kit has often been portrayed as the youngest, the tomboy, the one who doesn’t care about appearances. Here, we see that this is not a lack of interest but a lack of confidence. She has never tried to look beautiful because she has always assumed that beauty belongs to other people—specifically to her mother and her sister.
Kit’s comparison to Nina is particularly telling. She sees Nina’s long legs and short skirts as effortless, but she does not see the work or the pressure behind them. She also remembers her mother’s careful routines, which were tied to her “good days,” hinting at the family’s complicated history with mental health and stability. Kit’s decision to go to Nina for help is a significant step: she is admitting she cannot do this alone, and she is turning to the person she perceives as the expert. This moment of vulnerability sets up a potential bonding scene between the sisters and shows Kit’s willingness to step outside her comfort zone.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
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Self-image and insecurity: Kit’s struggle to choose an outfit reflects her deeper uncertainty about who she is and how she wants to be seen.
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Comparison to family: Kit measures herself against Nina and her mother, feeling she falls short of their standard of beauty.
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Coming-of-age: The chapter marks a transition for Kit, as she actively tries to change her appearance and take a risk with romance.
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Risk-taking: Kit’s plan to kiss a boy, even if she has to force herself, shows her willingness to push past her fears.
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Seeking guidance: Kit’s decision to ask Nina for help demonstrates that she recognizes her own limits and is open to learning from someone she admires.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter is a quiet but crucial turning point for Kit. It humanizes her and deepens the reader’s understanding of her relationship with her siblings, especially Nina. By showing Kit’s insecurity and her decision to seek help, the chapter sets up a potential moment of connection between the sisters, which is central to the novel’s exploration of family bonds. It also reinforces the theme of appearance versus reality: Kit assumes Nina’s beauty is effortless, but the reader knows Nina carries her own burdens. This moment of vulnerability makes Kit more relatable and prepares the reader for her growth later in the story.
Study Questions and Answers
- Why does Kit decide to kiss a boy that night, and why does she hope it isn’t Seth?
Kit decides to kiss a boy because she wants to take a step toward adulthood and experience something new. She hopes it isn’t Seth because she doesn’t feel a genuine attraction to him; she wants to feel something for someone, but she’s not sure she can. Her willingness to “rip the Band-Aid off” shows she is determined to push herself even if the feeling isn’t there.
- What does Kit’s memory of her mother’s grooming routine reveal about her family?
Kit’s memory of her mother taking nearly an hour to get dressed on her “good days” suggests that her mother’s appearance was tied to her mental state. The phrase “good days” implies there were bad days, hinting at instability or illness in the family. This memory also shows that Kit associates beauty with effort and fragility, not with natural ease.
- Why does Kit go to Nina for help, and what does this decision suggest about their relationship?
Kit goes to Nina because she feels out of her league and recognizes Nina as the expert on beauty and style. This decision suggests that despite any rivalry or distance, Kit trusts Nina and sees her as a source of guidance. It also opens the door for a meaningful sisterly moment, showing that Kit is willing to be vulnerable with Nina.