Chapter 26: Molly — Summary, Analysis, and Study Notes

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Chapter 26: Molly – Summary and Analysis

Summary

The chapter opens with Molly walking across campus to the Bigelow Bash, an annual street fair hosted by Pitt. She is still energized from watching Cora play rugby the day before. As she navigates the crowd, she notices a performer dangling from ribbons and rows of white tents, but her real destination is the food truck where Alex is working.

Before she reaches Alex, Molly’s phone buzzes with a second call from her mom. She had already spoken to her mother that morning, but the conversation turned sour when her mom made a dismissive comment about the food at the Bulgogi Boyz truck, implying she should be careful about what they put in the food. Molly recognizes this as a racial microaggression—something she has heard from her mom before—and ends the call quickly. When the second call comes in, she sends it straight to voicemail.

Molly finds a spot on the curb near the food truck and watches Alex work. She notices Alex’s fake customer-service smile and the heat inside the truck. A customer with an oversized belt buckle flirts with Alex, asking for her number. Instead of flirting back, Alex gives him a despondent look, similar to the one she gave Molly before rugby tryouts when she talked about being treated like a “bimbo.” Molly realizes she has made the same kind of snap judgment about Alex that this customer is making. Jim, Alex’s boss, steps in and throws the customer’s money out the window, telling him to get lost. The customer threatens bad reviews, but Jim dismisses him.

After closing, Alex brings two sandwiches and two grape sodas to Molly on the curb. As they eat, Molly’s phone lights up with a text from Cora: “Hey! Thanks for coming to cheer me on yesterday! What are you up to this weekend?” Alex grabs the phone and scrolls through their text history, insisting that Cora is clearly interested because she used emojis and a heart. Molly is doubtful, but Alex pushes her to ask Cora out as “step three” of their plan. Molly panics, saying she has never asked anyone out. Alex then proposes a mock date: Molly should practice asking her out over text, and then they can go on a fake date to prepare for the real thing.

Molly hesitates but agrees. She thinks about where to ask Cora and remembers her childhood dream date: roller-skating. She used to go to the roller rink with her brother Noah and always had to leave the floor during couples’ skate. She types a text to Alex: “Alex, do you want to go roller-skating with me tomorrow night?” Alex teases her but accepts, and Molly feels a surge of hope. The chapter ends with Molly imagining what it will feel like to receive a similar text from Cora, and she looks forward to skating circles around Alex.

Key Events

Molly sends her mother’s second call to voicemail after a tense conversation about food.
Molly watches Alex work at the food truck and sees a customer flirt with her.
Jim, Alex’s boss, intervenes and dismisses the customer.
Alex and Molly share sandwiches and sodas after closing.
Cora texts Molly about weekend plans, and Alex insists Cora is interested.
Alex proposes a mock date to practice asking Cora out.
Molly texts Alex to ask her to go roller-skating, and Alex accepts.

Character Development

Molly

This chapter marks a significant shift in Molly’s self-awareness. Watching Alex deal with the flirtatious customer makes Molly confront her own earlier assumptions about Alex. She reflects, “I didn’t treat her much better than Belt Buckle is,” acknowledging that she had stereotyped Alex based on her appearance. This moment of self-reflection is a key step in Molly’s growth—she begins to see how her own biases have hurt others, even as she has felt judged herself.

Molly also steps outside her comfort zone by agreeing to the mock date. She has never asked anyone out, and the idea terrifies her. But with Alex’s encouragement, she practices the text and chooses roller-skating, a place where she feels confident. This shows her willingness to try new things, even when fear of rejection looms.

Alex

Alex shows vulnerability when she drops her fake smile and gives the customer a despondent look. She doesn’t defend herself as she might have with Molly, likely because she doesn’t want to make a scene in front of her boss. This reveals that Alex’s confidence is sometimes a shield, and she is not immune to the sting of being objectified. Her decision to propose a mock date also shows her investment in Molly’s success—she is willing to put herself in an awkward position to help her friend.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Stereotyping and Microaggressions

The chapter directly addresses stereotyping through two parallel incidents. Molly’s mother makes a racially charged comment about the food truck, implying that the food is unsafe or unclean. Molly recognizes this as a microaggression, even though she has heard it before. Meanwhile, the customer at the food truck reduces Alex to her appearance, assuming she will flirt for a tip. Molly’s realization that she has done the same thing to Alex ties these threads together, showing how stereotypes can be both external and internalized.

Mock Dating as Practice

The mock date is a central motif. It represents the idea that relationships and social skills can be rehearsed, but also that practice can feel artificial. Molly’s anxiety about asking Cora out is eased by the safety of practicing with Alex, but the chapter hints that real feelings might complicate the exercise.

Fear of Rejection and Self-Doubt

Molly’s spiral when Alex suggests asking Cora out highlights her deep fear of rejection. She worries about what to do if Cora says yes, and even more about what if she says no. This fear is a recurring obstacle for Molly, and the mock date is a way to confront it in a low-stakes environment.

Childhood Nostalgia and Roller-Skating

Roller-skating is a symbol of Molly’s childhood and a dream date she has never been able to fulfill. It represents a safe, joyful space where she feels competent. Choosing it for the date shows her desire to share something personal with Cora, and it also gives her a sense of control in an otherwise uncertain situation.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is pivotal because it moves Molly from passive hope to active pursuit. She has been texting Cora and studying with her, but now she is about to take a concrete step—asking Cora out. The mock date with Alex is a clever narrative device that allows the two characters to grow closer while also advancing the plot. It also deepens the theme of stereotyping, as Molly confronts her own biases and begins to see Alex more clearly. The chapter sets up the roller-skating date, which will likely be a turning point in Molly’s relationship with Cora, and it reinforces the importance of stepping outside one’s comfort zone.

Study Questions and Answers

1. How does Molly’s observation of Alex with the flirtatious customer change her view of Alex?

Molly realizes that she has made the same kind of snap judgment about Alex that the customer is making. She sees Alex’s despondent look and remembers how Alex talked about being treated like a “bimbo.” This moment forces Molly to acknowledge her own hypocrisy—she has accused others of not giving her a chance, but she did the same to Alex. It deepens her empathy and sets the stage for a more honest friendship.

2. What role does the mock date play in Molly’s development?

The mock date is a practical exercise that helps Molly confront her fear of asking someone out. By practicing with Alex, she gains confidence and learns to articulate her intentions. It also allows her to choose a date activity that reflects her personality—roller-skating—which helps her feel more authentic. The mock date is a stepping stone that makes the real thing seem possible.

3. How does the chapter address stereotyping and microaggressions?

The chapter shows stereotyping in two forms: Molly’s mother’s racial microaggression about the food truck, and the customer’s objectification of Alex. Molly recognizes the first as harmful, but she also realizes she has been guilty of the second. The chapter suggests that stereotypes are pervasive and that even well-meaning people can perpetuate them. It also shows the importance of self-reflection and allyship, as Jim steps in to defend Alex.