Chapter 36: Molly — 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.

You have been warned!

(But really, you're here for the analysis, so let's dive in.)

Summary

The chapter opens with Molly and Cora arriving at an art gala. Molly wears her mother's sparkly red dress and two-inch heels, which she already finds uncomfortable and inauthentic. Cora, in a green floor-length dress, looks stunning, and Molly feels a mix of admiration and self-consciousness. They approach a bar, where Cora tries to order chardonnay but the bartender sees through her and serves them ginger ale in champagne flutes—a small moment that hints at their shared inexperience with this world.

They wander through the gallery, and Cora leads Molly to an exhibit by Lindsay, a classmate from her lit class. Lindsay's paintings are large, amorphous blobs of skin tones, and she explains her concept of representing the erasure of race in American culture. Molly struggles to stay engaged, finding the art and the conversation dry and rehearsed. She even jokes to Cora that one painting looks like gigantic butt cheeks, but Cora doesn't laugh, and Molly quickly retracts the comment.

As they continue, Cora socializes with many people, and Molly feels increasingly out of place. She wishes they could be alone, but Cora thrives on interaction. Then Molly receives a text from Noah: Alex was just there looking for her. The news hits Molly like a wave, and she immediately wonders what Alex wanted, if she came to apologize, and if Alex would have laughed at the butt-cheeks joke. She smiles, knowing Alex would have, and imagines the two of them laughing together, getting frozen yogurt, and talking about everything. She catches herself missing Alex, but then remembers Alex's harsh words at the concert and tries to dismiss those feelings as based on something unreal.

Cora pulls Molly into a secluded corner, looking nervous. She takes Molly's hand and confesses that she has feelings for her. Molly's heart races—this is what she thought she wanted. But as Cora leans in for a kiss, Molly's mind fills with images of Alex: their time in the library, the electric connection, the way Alex's hand felt like it belonged in hers. Molly realizes that the Cora she thought she loved was a fantasy, not the real person standing before her. She gently pulls back, apologizes, and tells Cora she only wants to be friends. Cora is hurt but nods, and Molly leaves the gala.

Outside, Molly frantically tries to call Alex, but each call goes straight to voicemail. She remembers Alex's cruel words at the concert and doubts herself, but she pushes those doubts aside, convinced that the library moment was real. She decides she has to talk to Alex and heads toward Alex's apartment. On the way, she spots Alex's fluorescent-orange bicycle locked outside the library. She runs up the steps, trips, and kicks off her heels, sprinting through the library in her gown. She reaches the top floor and finds Alex sitting on the floor with a book in her lap. Molly pauses, overwhelmed by the flood of memories—the party, the bet, rugby tryouts, frozen yogurt, the concert, the fight—all leading her to this moment.

Key Events

Molly and Cora attend an art gala; Molly wears her mother's red dress and uncomfortable heels.
Cora tries to order wine but gets ginger ale; they view Lindsay's art exhibit.
Molly makes a joke about a painting resembling butt cheeks; Cora doesn't laugh, highlighting their disconnect.
Molly receives a text from Noah that Alex was looking for her, sparking a shift in her focus.
Cora confesses her feelings for Molly, but Molly realizes she doesn't reciprocate and rejects her, asking to remain friends.
Molly leaves the gala, repeatedly calls Alex, and gets voicemail each time.
She spots Alex's bike outside the library, runs inside, and finds Alex on the floor with a book.

Character Development

Molly undergoes a major transformation in this chapter. She begins the evening trying to be the person she thinks Cora wants—wearing a dress she hates, pretending to enjoy art, and forcing smiles. But the text from Alex and Cora's confession force her to confront her true feelings. She realizes that her crush on Cora was built on a fantasy, not reality. Her rejection of Cora is a moment of self-discovery and authenticity: she admits she hates the dress, doesn't like rugby or show tunes, and that Alex helped her become someone she thought Cora would like, but she ended up becoming herself. This is the first time Molly fully embraces her own identity and acknowledges her love for Alex.

Cora is revealed as more vulnerable than Molly expected. Her nervous confession shows she genuinely cares, but she also represents the idealized version Molly created. When Molly rejects her, Cora is hurt but respectful, nodding and stepping back. This moment humanizes Cora and underscores that Molly's feelings were never real.

Alex is absent for most of the chapter but looms large in Molly's thoughts. The text from Noah and Molly's memories of their library connection drive her actions. Alex's bicycle outside the library becomes a symbol of hope and a sign that Molly is on the right path.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Fantasy vs. Reality: Molly's realization that her love for Cora was a fantasy is the central theme. She contrasts the imagined Cora with the real person and understands the difference between infatuation and love.
Authenticity: Molly's confession to Cora—that she hates the dress, the heels, and the pretense—marks her embrace of her true self. The dress and heels symbolize inauthenticity; she literally kicks them off when she runs to find Alex.
Shared Humor as Connection: The butt-cheeks joke that Cora doesn't laugh at becomes a litmus test. Molly knows Alex would have laughed, and that shared humor represents the genuine connection she has with Alex.
Library as Meaningful Space: The library is where Molly and Alex had their intimate moment, and it's where Molly finds Alex at the end. It's a place of authenticity and emotional truth, contrasting with the artificiality of the art gala.
Pursuit of Love: Molly's frantic run to find Alex, despite the pain in her feet and the risk of rejection, shows her commitment to pursuing real love rather than settling for a comfortable fantasy.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is the emotional climax of Molly's arc. It forces her to choose between the safe, idealized version of love (Cora) and the messy, real connection she has with Alex. By rejecting Cora, Molly demonstrates growth and self-awareness, finally understanding that love isn't about fitting a mold but about being true to oneself. The chapter also sets up the final confrontation with Alex, as Molly's determination to confess her feelings propels the story toward its resolution. It's a turning point where Molly stops being a passive observer of her own life and actively pursues what she truly wants.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Molly reject Cora's confession, and what does this reveal about her character?

Molly rejects Cora because she realizes her feelings were based on a fantasy, not reality. When Cora leans in for a kiss, Molly's mind is flooded with memories of Alex, and she understands that the electric connection she felt with Alex is what real love feels like. This reveals Molly's growth: she is no longer willing to pretend or settle for a relationship that doesn't feel authentic. She chooses honesty over comfort, even though it hurts Cora.

2. How does the text from Noah serve as a catalyst for Molly's actions?

The text from Noah—that Alex was looking for her—immediately shifts Molly's attention from the gala to Alex. It makes her wonder if Alex came to apologize, and it reminds her of their shared humor and connection. This text plants the idea that Alex might care, and it ultimately drives Molly to leave the gala and seek Alex out. Without this nudge, Molly might have stayed with Cora and continued to suppress her true feelings.

3. What does the contrast between the art gala and the library symbolize in this chapter?

The art gala represents artificiality, pretense, and social performance—Molly wears an uncomfortable dress, tries to appreciate art she doesn't understand, and smiles for Cora's sake. The library, in contrast, is a place of authenticity and emotional intimacy, where Molly and Alex shared a genuine moment. By leaving the gala and running to the library, Molly chooses authenticity over pretense, symbolizing her commitment to being her true self and pursuing real love.