Chapter 20: Maya — 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

Maya and Skye are lounging on Maya's bed, sharing a bag of potato chips and listening to Skye's dad's old playlist. They compare their experiences from the previous night's events: Skye jokes that she only got a chocolate dip prize while Maya got to star in a concert and Lauren got a helicopter ride. Maya counters that she had to jump around with a flag and slow dance with Jordy, calling herself a “dancing monkey.” Skye says she'll forget the night by next week, but Maya says she'll need the memory to get through the coming year.

Skye challenges Maya's dread of college, pointing out that nobody is forcing her to go. Maya argues that the job market and her mother's decade of hard work to secure her future make it necessary. Skye counters that there are jobs that don't require degrees and that Maya could always attend college later if she changes her mind. Maya then reveals her deeper motivation: she knows Jordy is waiting for her to drop out so he can judge her, and she wants to prove him wrong. Skye calls this the worst reason she's ever heard for committing to a decade of medical study, and suggests that the best revenge is being happy. She proposes that Maya take a year off to open herself to new ideas, and notes that Maya's mom could use the money for a travel vacation instead.

Skye then reveals that she herself has taken a year off. She plans to return to London, stay in a pre-planned apartment, work as a waitress or bartender, and take weekend trips to Greece, Spain, and Italy. She describes Genoa in vivid detail—the food stores in the alleys, the butchers, gelato, fresh fruit stalls, and the famous focaccia that is nothing like what other countries call focaccia. She also describes the town built on hillsides by the sea, with brightly colored houses layered like arena seating. Maya is captivated and admits she wants to go. Skye notes that they might have found something Maya would rather do than med school.

Maya reflects on the concert stage, the lights, the heat, and the feeling of endless power. She thinks that the Maya from the stage would agree with Skye—she would jump on a plane and do whatever felt right in the moment, without worrying about judgment. As the music plays, a contented happiness washes over her. Skye touches her hand, and the atmosphere shifts. Skye says, “I want to kiss you,” and Maya responds, “So, kiss me.” They kiss, and Maya melts into the sensation, describing it as being ignited and feeling like a dying star. After several kisses, Maya asks why they are kissing. Skye says she has just been wanting to kiss her, with no strings attached. Maya feels carefree and adventurous, comparing the feeling to being on stage. She reflects that overnight she has gone from angry, rejected, and vengeful to lovable and confident. She asks if Skye planned the kiss; Skye says she did not. Maya welcomes this spontaneity, noting it's Skye's second time winging it in two days. Skye says it feels pretty good. Maya takes Skye's hand, and Skye doesn't pull away.

Key Events

Maya and Skye compare their experiences from the previous night's events, with Skye joking about her chocolate dip prize.
Skye challenges Maya's assumption that she must go to college, and Maya reveals her motivation is to prove Jordy wrong.
Skye suggests Maya take a year off, and reveals she has already taken one herself, with plans to travel in Europe.
Skye describes Genoa's food and scenery, sparking a strong desire in Maya to travel.
Maya reflects on the concert and the feeling of empowerment, which aligns with Skye's advice.
Skye touches Maya's hand and declares she wants to kiss her; they share a series of kisses.
Maya asks why they are kissing, and Skye says she simply wanted to, with no strings attached.
Maya asks if Skye planned the kiss; Skye says she didn't, and Maya embraces the spontaneity.
Maya takes Skye's hand, and Skye doesn't pull away, signaling mutual interest.

Character Development

Maya undergoes a significant internal shift in this chapter. She begins by expressing dread about college, framing it as a death sentence and citing external pressures like the job market and her mother's sacrifices. Her stated reason for pursuing medicine is to prove Jordy wrong, which Skye immediately identifies as a poor foundation for a decade-long commitment. Maya's reflection on the concert stage reveals a version of herself that is confident and unburdened by judgment. This internal contrast—between the anxious, revenge-driven Maya and the empowered, spontaneous Maya—becomes the catalyst for her openness to Skye's kiss. After the kiss, Maya explicitly notes that she has transformed from “angry, rejected and vengeful” to “lovable and confident.” She embraces the idea of no-strings-attached intimacy, describing it as carefree and adventurous. Her willingness to ask questions about the kiss and to accept Skye's lack of planning shows a new comfort with uncertainty.

Skye is revealed to be more spontaneous than her usual planning suggests. She admits she has taken a year off, which surprises Maya, who had only seen Skye as a meticulous planner. Skye's description of her own gap year is still structured—she has a lease, a plan to work, and a timeline for planning—but she also allows for flexibility, like weekend trips and deciding next steps later. Her decision to kiss Maya is unplanned, and she admits it freely. Skye's honesty about her feelings and her lack of expectation for the kiss to mean something demonstrates her authenticity and emotional maturity. She also serves as a voice of reason for Maya, challenging her to reconsider her motivations and to prioritize her own happiness over revenge.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Revenge vs. Happiness: Maya's initial motivation for college is to prove Jordy wrong. Skye counters with the idea that the best revenge is being happy, which directly challenges Maya's mindset. The chapter suggests that living authentically is a more powerful response to rejection than pursuing a path solely to spite someone.

Planning vs. Spontaneity: Skye is introduced as a planner, but her gap year is a mix of structure and openness. Her kiss with Maya is entirely unplanned, and she admits it feels good to wing it. Maya, who is used to following a predetermined path, begins to embrace spontaneity as well, symbolized by her decision to take Skye's hand.

Travel as Self-Reinvention: Skye's vivid description of Genoa—the food, the colors, the sea—represents a world of possibility beyond Maya's current life. The desire to travel becomes a metaphor for exploring new identities and breaking free from expectations. Maya's longing to go to Genoa aligns with her growing sense of self-discovery.

Empowerment through Performance: Maya's memory of the concert stage—the lights, the heat, and the feeling of endless power—serves as a touchstone for her confidence. She compares the kiss to being on stage, suggesting that both experiences make her feel unlimited and breathless. This motif ties her public performance to her private awakening.

Casual Intimacy: The kiss is framed as a spontaneous, no-strings-attached moment. Maya's questions about its meaning and Skye's honest answer (“I've just been wanting to kiss you”) normalize a form of intimacy that doesn't require commitment. This theme challenges traditional romantic expectations and emphasizes authenticity over labels.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 20 is a turning point in Maya's personal journey and in her relationship with Skye. It marks the first explicit romantic connection between them, moving beyond the tension and mutual interest hinted at earlier. The chapter also deepens Maya's internal conflict about her future, forcing her to confront the real reasons behind her college plans. Skye's argument that happiness is the best revenge offers a new perspective that Maya is beginning to accept. The chapter's focus on spontaneity and self-reinvention sets the stage for Maya to make choices based on her own desires rather than on Jordy's judgment. The kiss is not just a romantic milestone; it is a symbol of Maya's willingness to embrace the unknown and to trust her own feelings. This chapter also humanizes Skye, showing her as someone who values authenticity and who is willing to be vulnerable. The combination of a major plot development and a thematic shift makes this chapter essential to the novel's progression.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Maya initially resist Skye's suggestion to take a year off, and what does her resistance reveal about her character?

Maya resists because she believes she has no choice—she cites the job market and her mother's decade of hard work as obligations. She also reveals that she wants to prove Jordy wrong, which is her primary motivation. This resistance shows that Maya is driven by external validation and fear of judgment, rather than by her own passions. She is so focused on avoiding failure in others' eyes that she hasn't considered what she actually wants.

2. How does Skye's description of Genoa influence Maya's perspective on her future?

Skye's vivid description of Genoa—the food stores, the focaccia, the colorful houses by the sea—sparks a strong desire in Maya to travel. For the first time, Maya considers an alternative to med school that excites her. The description makes the idea of a gap year tangible and appealing, and it aligns with the confident, spontaneous version of herself she felt on stage. This moment opens Maya to the possibility of choosing a path based on joy rather than obligation.

3. What does the kiss between Maya and Skye symbolize in the context of Maya's character development?

The kiss symbolizes Maya's embrace of spontaneity and self-acceptance. She has just reflected on the empowered version of herself from the concert, and the kiss feels like an extension of that freedom. By asking why they are kissing and accepting Skye's answer that it's simply because she wanted to, Maya lets go of the need for meaning or commitment. The kiss represents her shift from a revenge-driven, anxious person to someone who is confident, lovable, and open to new experiences.