Chapter 13 Summary and Analysis: Alex

⚠️ 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

Chapter 13 opens with Alex in her Intro to Fiction class, where she realizes that Molly is enrolled in the same general education course. Alex had already spotted Molly’s name on the attendance list and deliberately saved a seat next to her, even though she had not told Molly about the shared class. When Molly arrives late, flustered and disheveled, she is annoyed to find Alex there, especially because Alex had not mentioned it earlier. Molly takes the seat next to Alex, though she is clearly irritated and mutters about Alex’s failure to guide her to the right building.

The professor, who prefers to be called Jon, begins a lecture on Twelfth Night. Alex, who knows the play well, is internally distracted by Molly’s earlier comment in the library—the accusation that Alex was flirting with Cora despite having a girlfriend. When Jon calls on Alex to share her interpretation of Shakespeare’s views on romance, Alex argues that love is like the plague, a form of suffering often based on infatuation with someone you barely know. She also suggests that many people are “in love with love” rather than with the actual person. Molly counters, pointing out that in the play, all the characters end up with happy endings when they find the right person. She argues that love works out when it is felt for the right person, and she subtly implies that Alex might be projecting her own fears onto the story.

Alex is struck by Molly’s point. She begins to question her automatic assumption that relationships are doomed to fail. She wonders if Natalie might be the “right person” for her, and if she herself could be the right person for Natalie. She also thinks about Molly and Cora, imagining Molly as a modern-day Duke Orsino struggling to confess her feelings. The professor acknowledges Alex’s point about infatuation, but Molly’s rebuttal lingers in Alex’s mind.

After class, Molly rushes out, but Alex catches up to her in the hallway. Alex tells Molly that in their next biology class, they will sit next to Cora so Molly can get Cora’s phone number. Molly thanks Alex and apologizes for her earlier comment in the library. Alex accepts the apology, and they walk together for a moment. Alex checks her phone and sees that Natalie has opened yet another Snapchat without replying, still upset about Alex falling asleep after her food truck shift. Alex feels frustrated but also guilty, believing she has given Natalie reason to distrust her. She decides that helping Molly succeed with Cora will give her tangible proof to show Natalie that she is trustworthy.

As they part ways, Molly starts walking in the wrong direction, and Alex has to call her back and point her toward the correct building. Molly sheepishly corrects her course, and Alex watches her go, reflecting that they are not quite friends yet, but they are getting there.

Key Events

Alex realizes Molly is in her Intro to Fiction class and saves her a seat.
Molly arrives late and is annoyed that Alex didn’t tell her about the shared class.
During a lecture on Twelfth Night, Alex and Molly debate Shakespeare’s view of romance, with Alex arguing love is like the plague and Molly countering that love works for the right person.
Alex begins to question her own fears about relationships, wondering if Natalie could be the right person.
After class, Alex tells Molly they will sit next to Cora in biology so Molly can get Cora’s number.
Molly apologizes for her earlier comment in the library, and Alex accepts.
Alex checks her phone and sees Natalie still hasn’t replied to her snaps, reinforcing her decision to help Molly as proof of her loyalty.
Molly walks the wrong way, and Alex corrects her, highlighting their growing but still awkward friendship.

Character Development

Alex undergoes a significant internal shift in this chapter. Her initial confidence and smugness in class give way to genuine self-reflection when Molly challenges her cynical view of love. Alex has always assumed relationships will turn bad, but Molly’s argument forces her to consider that maybe she has been projecting her own fears onto every potential romance. This moment of vulnerability is a turning point for Alex, as she begins to entertain the possibility that she could be the right person for Natalie. Her decision to help Molly is not purely altruistic—she sees it as a way to prove her trustworthiness to Natalie—but it also shows a growing investment in Molly’s happiness. Alex’s acceptance of Molly’s apology and her willingness to correct Molly’s direction suggest a softening of her defensive exterior.

Molly also shows growth. She arrives late and flustered, but she stands her ground in the class discussion, articulating a hopeful view of love that directly challenges Alex’s pessimism. Her apology for the library comment demonstrates maturity and a desire to repair the friction between them. Though she is still awkward and easily embarrassed, she is willing to accept Alex’s help, which indicates a growing trust. The chapter ends with Molly walking the wrong way, a small but telling detail that reinforces her endearing clumsiness and the tentative nature of their friendship.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Love as suffering vs. love as fulfillment: Alex’s interpretation of Twelfth Night frames love as a plague, while Molly counters that love brings happy endings when directed at the right person. This debate mirrors Alex’s internal conflict about her relationship with Natalie.
Infatuation vs. true love: Alex argues that people often fall in love with the idea of love rather than the actual person, a theme that resonates with her own fear of commitment and with Molly’s crush on Cora.
Projection: Molly accuses Alex of projecting her own fears onto the play, and Alex later realizes this is true. This motif highlights how characters’ interpretations of literature reflect their personal anxieties.
Fear of commitment and self-awareness: Alex’s admission that she is “always so scared to jump in” reveals her fear of vulnerability. Her growing self-awareness is a key step in her character arc.
Trust and proof: Alex’s plan to help Molly is tied to her desire to prove her loyalty to Natalie. The chapter emphasizes the need for tangible evidence in rebuilding trust.
Friendship and second chances: The apology and the shared class discussion mark a tentative step toward friendship between Alex and Molly, suggesting that second chances are possible.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is pivotal for Alex’s character development. It forces her to confront her cynical assumptions about love and to consider that her fears might be self-fulfilling. The classroom debate serves as a catalyst for her internal change, and her decision to help Molly is both a practical plan and a symbolic commitment to taking a risk. The chapter also deepens the Alex–Molly dynamic, moving them from reluctant allies to something closer to friends. Additionally, the unresolved tension with Natalie—who remains unresponsive—sets up future conflict and motivates Alex’s actions. By the end of the chapter, Alex is more hopeful but still uncertain, making her journey compelling and relatable.

Study Questions and Answers

1. How does Alex’s interpretation of Twelfth Night reflect her personal views on love?

Alex argues that love is like the plague, a form of suffering based on infatuation with someone you barely know. This reflects her own fear of commitment and her belief that relationships are doomed to fail. She also suggests that many people are “in love with love” rather than with the actual person, which mirrors her tendency to keep emotional distance.

2. What does Molly’s counterargument reveal about her character and her hopes for Cora?

Molly argues that love works out when it is felt for the right person, pointing to the happy endings in the play. This reveals her optimistic and romantic nature, as well as her belief that her feelings for Cora could lead to a genuine relationship. Her willingness to speak up in class, despite her shyness, shows that she is willing to defend her hopes.

3. Why does Alex decide to help Molly get Cora’s number, and what does this decision say about her motivations?

Alex decides to help Molly because she believes that if Molly succeeds, she will have tangible proof to show Natalie that she is trustworthy. This decision is partly selfish—she wants to repair her own relationship—but it also shows that she is willing to invest in someone else’s happiness. It marks a shift from her usual self-centered behavior toward a more collaborative and caring approach.