Chapter 13 Summary: Milo – Truth, Dare, and a New Arrangement
⚠️ 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
Milo cannot stay away from Prue. A few days after the beach, they sit on the dock late on her birthday, drinking beer and playing truth or dare. Milo chooses truth, and Prue asks his body count; he admits he lost count, guessing around two hundred. When he asks hers, she whispers zero. Milo is stunned but tries not to shame her. Prue is embarrassed and almost leaves, but Milo stops her. She regains composure and the game continues. Milo confesses he has never been with a virgin. Prue then dares him—she wants his help to learn what she likes. They agree to a friends-with-benefits arrangement with no strings, though Milo warns there will be feelings. They kiss intensely. Prue becomes aggressive, and Milo struggles to maintain control. Because she has been drinking, he stops the encounter, saying they must wait. She pouts but accepts. Milo confesses he is new to being decent. They stay on the dock and continue playing with less sexy questions, solidifying their unusual friendship.
Key Events
- Milo returns to Prue after only a few days, unable to stay away.
- They play truth or dare on the dock; Milo chooses truth and reveals his sexual history (lost count, ~200 partners).
- Prue admits she has never had sex (body count zero). Milo is shocked but tries not to judge.
- When Prue tries to leave from embarrassment, Milo physically stops her and asks her to stay.
- Prue asks Milo if he has ever been with a virgin. He says no.
- Prue dares Milo to help her explore her sexuality. They negotiate a friends-with-benefits arrangement with no romantic expectations.
- They kiss passionately, and Prue takes the lead. Milo stops her because she has been drinking—he insists on waiting.
- Milo confesses he is new to being decent and does not want to mess up.
- They decide to continue the game with tamer questions, maintaining their friendship.
Character Development
Milo is forced to confront his typical casual approach to intimacy. For the first time, he prioritizes someone else's well-being over his desires—he stops the physical escalation because Prue is intoxicated and inexperienced. He admits he is new to decency, showing vulnerability and a desire to be better. His internal shame about the "virgin fantasy" highlights his awareness of his own flaws.
Prue shows remarkable boldness despite her inexperience. She owns her honesty about her body count and takes control of the situation by proposing the arrangement. Her pout when Milo stops her reveals a playful side, but she ultimately respects his boundaries. This chapter marks a shift in her confidence.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Consent and Control: Milo explicitly stops the interaction because Prue is under the influence. He insists on being in control as the teacher to protect her and himself. This theme underscores the importance of clear boundaries.
Friendship vs. Desire: Both characters articulate the tension between wanting physical pleasure and preserving their friendship. The arrangement is framed as "friends who make each other feel good," but Milo admits feelings will be inevitable.
Vulnerability and Shame: Prue is ashamed of her inexperience; Milo is ashamed of wanting to be her teacher. Their mutual honesty on the dock breaks down walls.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter is the turning point in Milo and Prue's relationship. It transforms their dynamic from ambiguous flirtation to an explicit, consensual arrangement. Milo's decision to wait demonstrates his growth and sets a foundation of trust. The truth or dare game serves as a vehicle for confession and negotiation, making the emotional stakes clear. The chapter also deepens Milo's internal conflict—he is drawn to Prue in ways that threaten his usual detachment.
Study Questions and Answers
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Why does Milo stop the physical encounter on the dock? | Milo stops because Prue has been drinking and he wants to ensure she can fully consent. He also fears losing control of the teacher-student dynamic they just agreed on. |
| How does Prue react after admitting she is a virgin? | She is embarrassed and tries to leave. Milo stops her, and after a moment she regains her composure, turning the attention back to the game by asking Milo if he has ever been with a virgin. |
| What arrangement do Milo and Prue agree to by the end of the chapter? | They agree to become friends who help each other physically—Milo will teach Prue what she likes, with no strings attached. They commit to maintaining their friendship above all. |