Chapter Thirty-six (Brynn): Summary, Analysis, and Key Takeaways

⚠️ 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

The chapter opens with Brynn getting ready for the Winter Dance. Her sister Ellie appears in a flouncy black dress and teased hair, styled like Madonna, and explains that she chose the look because people expect Madonna to dance with them. Ellie also notes that she and Brynn look like opposites—good and evil—though Brynn doubts anyone would mistake Ellie for the evil sister. Their mother is sick with a cold, so Uncle Nick has volunteered to chaperone in her place. Ellie plans to ride with him early to help Paige set up, while Brynn will go with Tripp, Mason, Nadia, Pavan, and Geoff in Mason's mother's minivan.

When Tripp arrives at Brynn's house, her father greets him warmly. Brynn is struck by how good Tripp looks in his navy suit. Her father makes a science joke about atoms, which Tripp actually appreciates, and then they head out to the van. During the ride, Tripp holds Brynn's hand and teases her about Pavan, her middle-school crush. Brynn feels happy and loose for the first time in a while, though she's still worried about the social risks of being with Tripp and about seeing Shane and Charlotte.

At Saint Ambrose, the parking lot is crowded, and Mason has to navigate carefully. Once they park, Tripp asks Brynn for a private moment. He confesses that he has liked her since sixth grade, even before she moved away, and that his feelings reignited when they were paired on a committee at the greenhouse. They share their first kiss, which is intense and passionate. The moment is interrupted when Charlotte's Range Rover passes and someone yells, “Get a room!” Tripp and Brynn are both breathless but happy. They head inside, and Brynn stops at the restroom to fix her hair and reapply lip gloss.

In the hallway, Brynn notices a poster of Mr. Larkin defaced with angry red slashes. A desk has been shoved against the wall beside it, and a red marker with its cap off lies on top. Brynn wonders why the marker is there. Ellie appears, picks up the marker, and declares that her trap worked.

Key Events

Ellie dresses as Madonna for the Winter Dance; Uncle Nick chaperones because their mother is sick.
Tripp arrives at Brynn's house, and her father greets him; they all ride to Saint Ambrose in Mason's van.
Tripp asks Brynn for a private moment and confesses he has liked her since sixth grade.
Brynn and Tripp share their first kiss, interrupted by Charlotte's passing car.
Inside the school, Brynn discovers a defaced poster of Mr. Larkin with red slashes and a red marker left on a nearby desk.
Ellie appears, picks up the marker, and reveals that her trap worked.

Character Development

Brynn is in a rare state of contentment. She's been trying to keep a low profile all week, but the dance offers a chance to forget her theories and just have fun. Her feelings for Tripp are clearly deepening; she's nervous about the social consequences but chooses to embrace the moment. Her practical side still surfaces when she insists on fixing her makeup, but the kiss leaves her “swooning” and “having it bad.”

Tripp shows vulnerability by admitting he's liked Brynn since sixth grade, even before she moved away. He calls their homework sessions “torture” because he never acted on his feelings. His confession is sincere, and he's willing to risk his friendships to be with Brynn.

Ellie is revealed to be more than just a supportive sister. Her comment about the defaced poster and the marker indicates she set a trap—likely to catch whoever has been vandalizing Mr. Larkin's posters. This shows a clever, proactive side to her character, and it hints that she may have been investigating on her own.

Uncle Nick is briefly mentioned as a hero for chaperoning, and his playful twirl suggests he's forgiven for past tensions.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

First Kiss and Romantic Tension – The chapter centers on the long-awaited kiss between Brynn and Tripp. Their conversation about how long Tripp has liked her builds tension, and the kiss itself is described as intense and all-consuming. The interruption by Charlotte's car underscores the social pressures they face.

Investigation and Vandalism – The defaced poster of Mr. Larkin reappears, and the red marker left on the desk is a clue. Ellie's declaration that her trap worked suggests she has been actively trying to catch the vandal, tying into the larger mystery of the book.

Sibling Contrast – Ellie and Brynn are described as opposites—Ellie in a flouncy black dress, Brynn in a sparkly silver one. This contrast extends to their personalities: Ellie is outgoing and playful, while Brynn is more reserved and analytical. Yet both are involved in the investigation in different ways.

Letting Go – Brynn decides to set aside her theories and worries for the night, choosing to enjoy the dance. This moment of letting go is short-lived, as the vandalism pulls her back into the mystery.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is a turning point for Brynn and Tripp's relationship. Their first kiss solidifies their romantic connection, and Tripp's confession reveals the depth of his feelings. It also raises the stakes: being together publicly puts Tripp's friendships at risk, and Charlotte's presence reminds them of the social hierarchy at Saint Ambrose.

More importantly, the chapter advances the mystery. Ellie's trap working means she has likely identified the vandal—or at least gathered evidence. The red marker and the defaced poster are physical clues that connect to the ongoing investigation. This revelation shifts the focus from Brynn's personal life back to the central plot, setting up the next chapter's revelations.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Ellie dress as Madonna, and what does it reveal about her character?

Ellie dresses as Madonna because she wants people to expect her to dance with them. This shows she is outgoing and enjoys being the center of attention, in contrast to Brynn's more reserved nature. It also hints at her playful, strategic side—she uses the costume to engage with others, which may be part of her plan to gather information.

2. What does Tripp's confession about liking Brynn since sixth grade suggest about his feelings?

Tripp's confession shows that his feelings for Brynn are long-standing and genuine. He admits that their homework sessions were “torture” because he never acted on his attraction. This suggests he has been patient and consistent, and that his interest is not superficial. It also makes the kiss more meaningful, as it's the culmination of years of unspoken feelings.

3. How does Ellie's statement that her trap worked change the reader's understanding of the vandalism plot?

Ellie's statement reveals that she has been actively investigating the vandalism, likely setting up a trap to catch the culprit. This shifts the narrative from Brynn's passive observation to Ellie's active involvement. It also implies that Ellie may have evidence or knowledge that Brynn doesn't, adding a new layer to the mystery and raising questions about what Ellie knows and how she plans to use it.