Chapter 22 Summary and Analysis: Molly's Story

⚠️ 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 22 opens with Molly pulling her hood over her head as she walks to biology class in the rain. She admits to herself that she chose her old, familiar clothes partly because of the weather, but also because she may have chickened out of wearing the new wardrobe Alex helped her pick. The rain becomes an excuse she uses to avoid stepping fully into her new identity.

After class, Molly returns to her building and steps into the elevator. Just as the doors are about to close, a drenched girl rushes in. Molly reflexively holds the door open—a small but significant action, because normally she would have pretended not to see the person to avoid interaction. The girl introduces herself as Jordan, a Pitt soccer player from a small town south of LA. They chat about the weather and Pittsburgh winters, and Molly makes a joke that lands well, giving her a surge of confidence. Jordan invites Molly to a Thursday game night with her roommate Kendall, mentioning Monopoly, Cards Against Humanity, and Ping-Pong. Molly, who loves Ping-Pong and has fond memories of playing it with her brother Noah, accepts and asks if she can bring someone. Jordan says yes, and they part ways.

Back in her room, Molly reflects on the interaction. It felt normal—she wasn't the quiet, school-obsessed Molly she's known for being. She realizes that her reputation may have been partly her own doing, because today she let Jordan in, extended her hand, and introduced herself instead of shrinking away. She thinks about Alex and how this plan to help her get Cora might be helping her in more ways than one. She acknowledges that she's never had a friend like Alex, someone who listens and shares things, and she wonders if the friendship is becoming real for both of them. She also thinks about Alex running off the night before, and wonders if the whole thing is now about both of them growing.

Molly's phone buzzes with a text from Cora, inviting her and Alex to the library at 6 p.m. Molly texts Alex, who is excited and jokingly accuses Molly of asking Cora out. Molly clarifies that Cora texted her first. Alex then insists, in all caps, that Molly wear the new clothes no matter the weather. Molly smiles, tosses her phone on the bed, and looks at her new jeans and shirts. She feels much less nervous about wearing them in front of Cora after her successful interaction with Jordan, and she decides the clothes will only add to her confidence tonight.

Key Events

Molly wears her old clothes to biology class, rationalizing the rain but admitting she may have chickened out.
In the elevator, Molly holds the door for Jordan, a drenched Pitt soccer player, and they have a friendly conversation.
Jordan invites Molly to a Thursday game night with her roommate Kendall; Molly accepts and asks to bring someone.
Molly reflects on feeling like her normal self and realizes her quiet reputation may have been partly self-imposed.
Cora texts Molly to invite her and Alex to the library at 6 p.m.
Alex responds enthusiastically and insists Molly wear her new clothes regardless of the weather.
Molly feels more confident about wearing the new clothes after her positive interaction with Jordan.

Character Development

Molly takes a clear step out of her comfort zone in this chapter. Her reflexive action of holding the elevator door is a small but meaningful shift from her usual avoidance. She initiates conversation, introduces herself, and even makes a joke—all actions that would have felt impossible earlier in the story. Her internal reflection shows growing self-awareness: she recognizes that her reputation as quiet and unapproachable was partly her own doing, and she credits Alex's plan with helping her break out of her shell. She also begins to see her friendship with Alex as mutual, wondering if she is helping Alex just as much. This chapter marks a turning point where Molly starts to believe in her own ability to connect with others.

Jordan appears as a new, friendly presence. She recognizes Molly from the hallway, initiates a conversation, and extends an invitation to a game night. Her openness and humor create a low-pressure opportunity for Molly to practice socializing. Jordan's role is small but significant—she provides a safe, casual setting for Molly to test her new confidence.

Alex is present only through texts, but her enthusiasm and insistence that Molly wear the new clothes reinforce her role as Molly's cheerleader. Alex's playful accusation that Molly asked Cora out shows her investment in the plan, and her final all-caps message underscores her belief that Molly's transformation is important.

Cora takes initiative by texting Molly first, which flips the dynamic from earlier chapters where Molly was the one pursuing. This shift suggests Cora is becoming more comfortable with Molly and may be opening the door for a deeper connection.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Stepping out of one's comfort zone is the central theme. Molly's decision to hold the elevator door, introduce herself, and accept Jordan's invitation are all deliberate acts of bravery. The chapter shows that growth often comes from small, incremental actions rather than grand gestures.

Self-confidence is directly tied to Molly's interaction with Jordan. The success of her joke and the natural flow of conversation give her a tangible boost, which she then carries into her decision to wear the new clothes. Confidence builds on itself, as Molly demonstrates.

Friendship is explored through Molly's reflection on Alex. She realizes that Alex has become a real friend, someone who listens and shares, and she wonders if the relationship is becoming mutual. The chapter suggests that friendship can be as transformative as romance.

Identity transformation is symbolized by the new clothes. Molly's hesitation to wear them reflects her fear of fully embracing her new self. But after her successful interaction with Jordan, she feels ready to wear them, indicating that her internal change is catching up with her external appearance.

Vulnerability appears in Molly's admission that she chickened out and in her willingness to let Jordan in. She allows herself to be seen, both literally in the elevator and metaphorically through her new clothes.

Taking initiative is shown by both Molly and Cora. Molly initiates the elevator conversation and asks to bring someone to game night; Cora initiates the library invitation. This mutual initiative moves the plot forward and deepens their connection.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 22 is a pivotal moment in Molly's arc. It shows her actively practicing the skills Alex has been encouraging, and it gives her a concrete success to build on. The chapter also deepens the friendship between Molly and Alex, as Molly begins to recognize that their relationship is becoming reciprocal. The library invitation from Cora sets up the next stage of the romance plot, and Molly's newfound confidence suggests she will approach it differently than she has before. This chapter reinforces the novel's central message that personal growth and connection are intertwined, and that small steps can lead to significant change.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Molly wear her old clothes to biology class, and what does this reveal about her state of mind?

Molly tells herself the rain is the reason, but she admits she may have chickened out. This reveals that she is still hesitant to fully embrace her new identity, even though she has made progress. The clothes represent her old self, and her reluctance to wear the new ones shows that change is scary and that she is not yet fully comfortable with the person she is becoming.

2. How does Molly's interaction with Jordan change her perspective on her own reputation?

After the elevator conversation, Molly reflects that the interaction felt normal and that she was just Molly, not the quiet, school-obsessed version of herself. She realizes that her reputation may have been partly her own doing, because today she let Jordan in and introduced herself instead of shrinking away. This insight empowers her to see that she has more control over how others perceive her than she previously believed.

3. What role does the new wardrobe play in this chapter, and how does Molly's attitude toward it shift?

The new clothes symbolize Molly's transformation and her willingness to step into a new version of herself. At the start of the chapter, she avoids wearing them, using the rain as an excuse. But after her successful interaction with Jordan, she feels less nervous about wearing them in front of Cora. The clothes become a tool for confidence rather than a source of anxiety, showing that her internal growth is beginning to align with her external presentation.