Chapter 19: Que se jodan las leyes de la física y que te jodan - Summary & 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.
Summary
Ryder is still deeply upset after Garrett Graham told him he lacks leadership, essentially ruining his chances at a prestigious summer hockey camp. While brooding in his living room with friends Shane and Beckett, he listens to Beckett's passionate monologue about time travel paradoxes. Shane, observing the situation, proposes a direct solution: befriend Gigi Graham, Garrett's daughter and a fellow student at Briar. Ryder initially scoffs at the idea, but after his friends go to bed, he searches for Gigi's hockey highlights online. Watching her play fascinates him; he becomes physically attracted and genuinely impressed by her skill. Shane later returns and offers to lend his car so Ryder can attend Gigi's exhibition game that evening. Ryder accepts, intending to approach Gigi not just for a strategic advantage but because he wants to know her better.
Key Events
- Ryder remains irritable and uncommunicative, still hurt by Graham's blunt criticism.
- Beckett and Shane bicker over time travel theories; Beckett insists on the need for rules to avoid paradoxes.
- Shane teases Ryder about cutting ties with Carma, the girl who caused him to oversleep and miss practice.
- Shane suggests that Ryder should use his connection to Gigi Graham to influence her father's camp decision.
- Ryder, after initial resistance, researches Gigi online, finding game footage from the previous season.
- He watches intently, noting her intensity, skill, and physical appeal.
- Ryder experiences a strong physical reaction to seeing her on the ice.
- Shane interrupts and offers his Mercedes, pushing Ryder to attend the women's game that night.
- Ryder agrees, deciding it's time to take action.
Character Development
- Ryder: Shows vulnerability and frustration verging on self-pity. His constant checking of his phone for Carma's messages indicates he is trying to avoid further distractions. When he views Gigi's video, his reaction is both strategic and unexpectedly sexual, revealing a complex mix of ambition and desire. His decision to attend the game marks a shift from passive regret to active pursuit.
- Shane: Emerges as a perceptive and loyal friend. He sees the tactical opportunity immediately and gently pushes Ryder toward it. His offer of his prized car shows deep trust.
- Beckett: Provides comic relief with his time travel obsession, but also a counterpoint to Ryder's seriousness. His intellectual tangents lighten the atmosphere and emphasize the group's bond.
- Gigi Graham: Though not physically present, she is characterized through video. She is dedicated, intense, and highly skilled, with a tactical mind. Her beauty and composure on the ice attract Ryder.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Time travel as regret: Beckett's fixation on paradoxes mirrors Ryder's wish to go back and avoid his mistake with Carma. The chapter title, which translates to "Fuck the laws of physics and fuck you," reflects the characters' desire to break rules when it serves them.
- Strategic relationships: Shane treats the potential connection to Gigi as a professional asset. Ryder's internal debate about using someone for personal gain raises ethical tension.
- Acknowledgment of female athleticism: Ryder undermines his earlier dismissal of women's hockey by admiring Gigi's movements on the ice. His physical response and respect for her game challenge his own biases.
- Ambition versus distraction: Ryder's inability to balance hockey with his personal life is front and center. Carma's persistent texts and his own attraction to Gigi are threats to his focus, but also potential motivators.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter is a turning point for Ryder's narrative. It transforms his defeatist mood into a plan of action, directly connecting the hockey camp subplot to the budding romance with Gigi. By showing Ryder's vulnerability and his capacity for genuine admiration, the chapter makes him more sympathetic. It also introduces the strategic maneuvering that will define his approach to winning Gigi's favor, setting up both emotional and professional stakes.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Ryder initially reject Shane's suggestion to talk to Gigi? Ryder believes that Gigi would not speak highly of him to her father because of their prior awkward interactions. He also feels that approaching her purely to gain a favor would be manipulative and unlikely to succeed. His pride and guilt over his earlier incident with Carma contribute to his reluctance.
2. How does Ryder's perception of women's hockey change after watching Gigi's game video? Before watching, he likely underestimated the sport. During the video, he notes that women's hockey is more cerebral and tactical due to the absence of body checking. He becomes impressed by Gigi's stickhandling, positional awareness, and intensity. The beauty of her movements captivates him, leading to both admiration and arousal.
3. What does Shane's offer of his car symbolize in their friendship? Shane is known for his attachment to his Mercedes and his tendency to be possessive. Offering it to Ryder for the evening signifies deep trust and support. It shows that despite their teasing, Shane is willing to invest in helping Ryder achieve his goal. The act also reinforces their close-knit bond within the team.