Chapter 7 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

On Monday morning, Irene picks Scottie up at 7:22, calling three times while Scottie blow-dries her hair. When Scottie steps outside, her sister Thora is waiting under the carport, keys in hand, glowering at Irene's car. Thora is furious because she knows Irene bullied Scottie last year and hit her car. She confronts Irene, threatening to scratch the car with her key. Irene surprises everyone by admitting she made a mistake and that she hasn't apologized yet. Thora calls her out for having a weak spine, and Irene says she's working on it. Thora relents, warning Scottie to call if Irene messes with her, then goes inside.

During the drive, Irene asks Scottie to play an upbeat song. Scottie chooses “Eye of the Tiger,” which Irene mocks as cheesy sports-movie energy, but she lets it play. They both feel nervous about the performance ahead. When they arrive at school, they hold hands publicly, walking through the parking lot and senior hallway while classmates gawk, whisper, and take photos. Charlotte Pascal, a Candlehawk girlfriend, reacts with disbelief. Irene plays her part with poise, but Scottie notices her nerves.

At Scottie's locker, Danielle confronts them, demanding to know what they're doing. Irene claims they've fallen for each other, then leaves, telling Scottie to say that Scottie asked her out. Danielle presses Scottie, who explains her plan: make Tally jealous and boost team attention to beat Candlehawk in the Christmas Classic and district championship. Danielle is skeptical but ultimately speechless when Scottie reminds her how much attention Irene's cheering brought to the team.

Throughout the day, Scottie enjoys the spotlight. The Cleveland triplets ask how she asked Irene out, straight kids congratulate them for being brave, queer kids welcome Irene into their ranks, and Gino admits Scottie has game. Gunther and Kevin are wary, questioning why Irene would date Scottie, and Gunther mentions a rumor that Irene made a move on Charlotte Pascal last year. Honey-Belle, Irene's best friend, gushes about how happy she is for them, claiming the sexual tension was obvious.

Later, Tally texts Scottie: “You're really dating her?” Scottie smugly replies, “Yeah, so?” She overhears someone saying Irene's coming out makes her “more relatable.” At practice, Scottie plays better than all season, nailing three-pointers, and Irene shows up with a dozen others to watch. After practice, they drive home together, both exhausted. Irene admits coming out is exhausting, and Scottie asks if she's told her parents. Irene reveals her parents already know she's gay—her mother donated to PFLAG after she came out—but her mother disapproves of cheerleading, seeing it as a dead end. Irene explains her parents want her to focus on academics and a stable career, like her optometrist mother and CDC researcher father. Scottie gives Irene a $1,000 check for her participation, and Irene promises to keep her word.

Key Events

Thora confronts Irene about past bullying; Irene admits her mistake and Thora backs down.
Scottie plays “Eye of the Tiger” to lighten the mood during the drive.
Scottie and Irene publicly hold hands at school, sparking gossip and attention.
Danielle questions Scottie's motives; Scottie reveals her plan to make Tally jealous and boost team attention.
Tally texts Scottie to confirm the relationship; Scottie responds smugly.
Gunther mentions a rumor that Irene made a move on Charlotte Pascal last year.
Honey-Belle enthusiastically supports the fake relationship.
Scottie plays exceptionally well at practice while Irene watches.
Irene reveals her parents already know she's gay, but her mother dislikes cheerleading.
Scottie gives Irene a $1,000 check; Irene promises to keep her word.

Character Development

Scottie shows a mix of smugness and empathy. She enjoys the attention and the validation from Tally's jealousy, but she also feels genuine empathy for Irene when Irene admits coming out is exhausting. Scottie's motivation is clear: she wants revenge on Tally and to help her team win, but she also begins to see Irene as more than an enemy.

Irene reveals vulnerability beneath her confident exterior. She admits her past mistake to Thora, shows nervousness before the public hand-holding, and confesses that coming out is exhausting. She also shares personal details about her parents' expectations, showing that her cheerleading passion conflicts with her family's narrow definition of success.

Thora acts as a protective older sister. She confronts Irene fiercely but respects Irene's admission of guilt, showing that she values accountability over revenge.

Danielle serves as the voice of reason, questioning Scottie's scheme but ultimately accepting it when Scottie argues it benefits the team.

Honey-Belle provides comic relief and genuine support, believing the relationship is real and expressing happiness for Irene.

Gunther and Kevin represent the skepticism of peers, questioning the plausibility of the relationship and hinting at Irene's rumored past with Charlotte.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Fake dating and performance: The chapter centers on the public performance of a relationship, with both Scottie and Irene acting roles. Irene's comment that she spends half her time performing highlights the theme.
Coming out and identity: Irene's coming out is a public event, and she notes that it's exhausting. The chapter explores the pressure of being visible and the different ways people come out (to family vs. school).
Bullying and accountability: Thora's confrontation forces Irene to acknowledge her past bullying, and Irene's admission of guilt is a step toward growth.
Revenge and jealousy: Scottie's primary motivation is to make Tally jealous, and she feels smug when Tally texts.
Family expectations: Irene's parents support her sexuality but not her cheerleading, revealing a narrow view of success that conflicts with Irene's passion.
Public perception and gossip: The school's reaction to the fake relationship shows how quickly rumors spread and how people project their own assumptions onto others.
Trust and secrets: Scottie limits the truth to Danielle, and Irene's promise to keep her word establishes a fragile trust between them.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter escalates the fake relationship from a private agreement to a public spectacle, setting the stakes for the rest of the novel. It deepens Irene's character by revealing her family dynamics and her internal conflict about cheerleading, making her more sympathetic. The chapter also introduces the rumor about Irene and Charlotte, hinting at potential complications. Scottie's investment of $1,000 raises the stakes, and her growing empathy for Irene suggests that the fake relationship may become real. The chapter advances the plot while exploring themes of identity, performance, and the cost of revenge.

Study Questions and Answers

Why does Scottie decide to go through with the public hand-holding despite her nerves?

Scottie is motivated by revenge on Tally and the desire to boost her team's attention. She thinks of her team, the haughty Candlehawk players, and the shame of her car being towed, and she wants to prove herself. She also wants to make Tally jealous, so she pushes through her anxiety.

How does Irene's revelation about her parents change Scottie's perception of her?

Irene reveals that her parents already know she's gay and that her mother donated to PFLAG, but they disapprove of cheerleading as a dead end. This shows Scottie that Irene's life is more complicated than she assumed, and it builds a composite portrait of Irene as someone who faces family pressure despite being out. It also makes Irene more relatable and human to Scottie.

What does the rumor about Irene and Charlotte Pascal suggest about Irene's past?

Gunther mentions a rumor that Irene made a move on Charlotte Pascal last year, which Charlotte denied. This suggests that Irene may have had a crush on Charlotte, and it hints at unresolved feelings or drama that could affect the fake relationship. It also shows that Irene's sexuality was already a topic of gossip before Scottie came along.