Chapter 107: Don’t Be His Friend Anymore – Lizzie Young

Spoiler Warning

This page contains detailed spoilers for Releasing 10 (The Boys of Tommen) by Chloe Walsh. If you have not yet read Chapter 107, proceed with caution.

Summary

The chapter opens on May 24, 2000, one month after Caoimhe’s death. Lizzie observes that the steady stream of casseroles and visitors has stopped, leaving her relieved but isolated. The only person who still comes to see her is Hugh Biggs, who is tidying her room. Lizzie’s father has returned to work, and her mother stays locked in her bedroom crying. Hugh gently tries to persuade Lizzie to leave the house, starting with going downstairs and eventually to his home. Lizzie panics at the idea of visiting Hugh’s house because Gerard “Gibsie” Gibson lives there. She reveals that she cannot go anywhere near that street because of Gibsie, whom she holds responsible for her sister’s death. Hugh insists Gibsie is innocent, but Lizzie sees him as family to the monster who hurt Caoimhe.

The conversation escalates into a full-blown crisis. Lizzie screams that she cannot be with Hugh if he remains Gibsie’s friend. She spirals, shouting about her dead sister, her dying mother, her father’s hatred, and her loss of friends. She tears at her own skin and wishes she had died instead of Caoimhe. Hugh restrains her, holding her against him and repeating that he loves her, that he is glad she survived, and that he has always been hers. Lizzie confesses she fears she is a “bad girl” and reveals her bipolar diagnosis, which she calls “crazy.” Hugh gently rejects that label, promising to ensure she lives a great, if complicated, life.

Key Events

• The one-month anniversary of Caoimhe’s death passes with no visitors; only Hugh remains.
• Hugh offers to take Lizzie outside; she refuses but he persists playfully.
• Lizzie admits she cannot go to Hugh’s house because of Gibsie’s presence.
• Lizzie begs Hugh to stop being Gibsie’s friend; Hugh refuses, arguing Gibsie is innocent.
• Lizzie accuses Hugh of choosing Gibsie over her, leading to a shouting match.
• Lizzie self-harms by pulling out her hair and digging her nails into her thighs.
• Hugh physically restrains her to prevent further injury.
• Lizzie reveals her bipolar disorder and calls herself crazy; Hugh affirms his love and commitment.
• Hugh vows to ensure Lizzie’s future will be great.

Character Development

Lizzie Young – This chapter shows the depth of Lizzie’s trauma. She is consumed by grief, guilt, and self-loathing. Her self-harm and verbal outbursts reveal a fragile mental state. Her insistence that she is a “bad girl” and “crazy” suggests internalized stigma around her bipolar disorder. She feels disposable in her friendship group because they prioritize Gibsie.

Hugh Biggs – Hugh’s loyalty to both Lizzie and Gibsie is tested. He refuses to choose, but he also refuses to abandon Lizzie. His calm, physical restraint and repeated affirmations of love demonstrate patience and emotional strength. He shows awareness of her mental health challenges and promises to be her steady support.

Gibsie (mentioned) – Although absent, Gibsie is the central point of conflict. Lizzie sees him as complicit in her sister’s death, while Hugh views him as innocent. Their divergent perspectives on Gibsie drive the chapter’s tension.

Themes, Symbols, and Motifs

Grief and isolation – Lizzie’s bedroom has become a prison. The cessation of community support mirrors her sense of abandonment. Hugh is the only lifeline.

Loyalty and choice – Lizzie demands Hugh choose between her and Gibsie. Hugh’s refusal to choose reveals a painful triangle: his love for Lizzie cannot override his loyalty to a brother-figure.

Self-harm as expression – Lizzie’s physical attacks on her own body symbolize emotional pain she cannot articulate. Hugh’s restraint marks a boundary: he will not let her harm herself further.

Bipolar disorder – Lizzie references her diagnosis for the first time in the chapter. She uses it as evidence she is “bad”; Hugh reinterprets it as simply part of a “complicated mind.”

Guilt by association – Lizzie conflates Gibsie with Mark (implied to be the abuser of Caoimhe) because Gibsie’s mother married Mark’s father. Hugh counters that family ties do not make Gibsie guilty.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is a turning point in Lizzie’s arc. It lays bare the central emotional conflict of her relationship with Hugh: his bond with Gibsie versus his love for her. Lizzie’s self-harm and breakdown demonstrate the severity of her trauma, while Hugh’s response shows that he is prepared to weather her storms. The chapter also prefigures future conflict, as Hugh’s continued friendship with Gibsie will remain a source of pain. For the broader story, it solidifies Lizzie’s role as a character wrestling with grief, mental illness, and the need to feel chosen.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Lizzie refuse to go to Hugh’s house?
   Lizzie refuses because Gibsie lives there. She blames Gibsie for her sister’s death, viewing him as complicit through his family connection to the perpetrator, Mark. Being on that street would force her to confront Gibsie, whom she cannot bear to see.

2. How does Hugh respond when Lizzie self-harms?
   Hugh physically restrains her by wrapping his arms around her from behind, holding her so she cannot hurt herself further. He speaks soothingly, repeating “I love you” and “I’m yours,” while also firmly refusing to let her push him away.

3. What does Lizzie reveal about her mental health, and how does Hugh react?
   Lizzie reveals she has bipolar disorder and calls herself “crazy.” Hugh tells her he already knows and adores her “complicated mind.” He insists she is not bad, and promises to make sure she lives a great life, rejecting her self-stigma.