Chapter 8: Maya — Chapter 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.
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Summary
The chapter opens at the mansion party, where the contestants are being herded by producers. Jordy greets Grayson with a handshake and a smile that Maya immediately reads as performative. She notices his fake accent has become even more exaggerated, and she privately compares his demeanor to that of an actor playing a role. The producers steer the group to the back grounds, which are decorated with fairy lights and candles. Skye comments on the quiet, and Kim explains that the lack of music is a copyright issue.
Maya and Perrie break away from the group and find a spread of snacks and drinks. Gwendolyn approaches them, cheerfully encouraging them to help themselves to unlimited food and alcohol. Maya calls out the producer's real intention—getting the contestants drunk on camera—and Perrie dryly agrees. Gwendolyn deflects with a smile and moves on.
The two friends decide they should try to sit with the other girls, even though they know they are unwelcome. Perrie points out that if all four other contestants badmouth them on camera, viewers will believe the majority. Maya reluctantly agrees. They join the group on the back porch, where the other girls whisper and fall silent as they approach. Maya tries to make small talk, asking where everyone is from. Francesca says Dublin, Kim says Liverpool, and Lauren says Columbus, Ohio. The tension is thick, and Skye is openly hostile, accusing Maya of only being nice because the cameras are near. Maya insists she wants to get along for the sake of the weeks ahead, but Skye dismisses her. The conversation is stilted until a camera operator pleads with them to talk naturally.
Jordy then approaches and invites Maya for a private walk. She jumps at the chance to escape the awkward group. They walk to a gazebo decorated with flowers and lights, with cameras and producers trailing them. Maya tries to be charming and flirty, but she is careful to keep her guard up. They exchange small talk about her college plans—she is going to the University of Connecticut to study medicine—and about her sisters, Rosie and Olivia. Jordy seems impressed but then grows distant. Maya tries to steer the conversation toward their past relationship, suggesting it's a shame they broke up. Jordy's smile freezes, and he abruptly ends the conversation, saying he needs to talk to everyone. He asks Maya to send Perrie over.
Maya is stunned and hurt. She snaps at Jordy, then storms off. Back with the group, she warns the other girls that Jordy's sincerity is an act, that he doesn't care about any of them. She tells Perrie it's her turn to talk to Jordy. Perrie is concerned but goes.
Maya, feeling rejected and humiliated, heads for the drinks. She finds a tray of Jell-O shots and downs several, then hides in the trees to avoid the cameras. From her hiding spot, she overhears two producers talking. They mention that Gwendolyn will be disappointed because Maya was seen as a front-runner, and that Isaac will be upset to lose a girl first. They also say Jordy has his eye on the