Chapter 6 Summary, Analysis, and Key Themes

⚠️ 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

The chapter opens at the National Championships, where Katarina Shaw takes a hard fall during a practice session. Before she fully registers what has happened, a hand reaches down to help her up—it belongs to Garrett Lin, the boy with the blue sequined suspenders she'd noticed earlier. Garrett is the twin brother of Isabella Lin, and both are children of Sheila Lin, the two-time Olympic gold medalist. Katarina recognizes their resemblance to their famous mother immediately: the high cheekbones, full lips, and glossy hair. She also recalls that the twins, now fifteen and already competing at the senior level, were born after Sheila's first Olympics and had front-row seats at her second—a rare feat, since Sheila managed to stay competitive after motherhood.

Heath rushes to Katarina's side, putting his arm around her. She insists she's fine, just winded, though she admits to herself that she'd been caught up in the moment and hadn't braced properly for the fall. Garrett apologizes profusely, looking more upset than Katarina feels, but Isabella cuts him off, blaming Katarina and Heath for the collision. Heath pushes back, saying they ran into them. Isabella counters that their music was playing, and Garrett explains the ice etiquette: whoever's program music is playing gets the right of way during practice. His tone is kind, without a hint of condescension, and he again asks if Katarina is sure she's okay.

Heath steers Katarina toward the boards, and she feels a dull ache spreading from her shoulder to her back and spine. She worries about being injured—they have three straight days of competition ahead. Isabella calls after them, mocking Katarina for not knowing basic rules, but is cut off when their mother appears. Sheila Lin, calling Isabella