Carina: The Loyal Friend and Confidante in The Striker

Overview of Carina

Carina is a close friend and colleague of Scarlett DuBois at the KBA ballet academy. She works as an assistant and shares a warm, teasing bond with Scarlett. While the main romance unfolds between Asher Donovan and Scarlett, Carina serves as a steady anchor—a source of comic relief, emotional support, and practical wisdom. She is the friend who knows Scarlett’s secrets, calls her out on her evasions, and cheers her on when she takes risks.

Plot Role

Carina appears throughout the story as a confidante and sounding board. In Hoofdstuk 4, she first meets Asher in the dance studio and immediately picks up on the chemistry between him and Scarlett. She jokingly calls herself a “verrader” (traitor) for being friendly to Asher, revealing her loyalty to Scarlett while also teasing her.

In Hoofdstuk 16, Carina and Scarlett share a drink at the Angry Boar. Carina presses Scarlett about her feelings for Asher, cross-examining her about the “bijna” (almost) encounter during the storm. She is perceptive, immediately guessing that something has happened. When Asher enters the pub, Carina waves him over, forcing Scarlett to face the tension.

In Hoofdstuk 46, Carina participates in a girls’ night with Scarlett and Brooklyn. She talks about her own struggle to find a second job to fund her dream trip to Antarctica, showing her own ambitions and vulnerabilities. She also teases Scarlett about Asher’s romantic gesture of skipping a match for her.

In Hoofdstuk 52, Carina is the one who summons Scarlett to see Asher’s grand gesture—the entire Blackcastle team and his car collection in the parking lot. She is the catalyst for the reconciliation scene.

Motivations and Traits Shown Through Actions

Loyalty

Carina consistently prioritizes Scarlett’s well-being. She listens to Scarlett’s worries about trusting footballers (Hoofdstuk 14) and supports her decision to audition for the staff ballet (Hoofdstuk 16). She never betrays Scarlett’s confidences, even when teasing her.

Perceptiveness and Honesty

Carina is sharp. She spots the “hmm” in Scarlett’s voice and immediately calls her on her deflection. She doesn’t let Scarlett hide behind denial. In Hoofdstuk 16, she says “jij en Asher lijken veel te praten. Meer niet,” but her tone makes it clear she knows there is more. She forces Scarlett to admit her attraction.

Ambition and Vulnerability

Carina has her own dreams: traveling to Antarctica before marriage. She works as a barista but is terrible at making coffee. She openly laments her lack of a second job. This adds depth—she is not just a sidekick but a woman with her own struggles.

Humor and Warmth

Carina uses humor to defuse tension. She teases Scarlett about being jealous (Hoofdstuk 16) and jokingly congratulates her for “bijna” having sex. She brings lightness to heavy moments, such as when she says Asher’s gesture is “romantisch” and “zwijmel” (swoon-worthy).

Chronological Arc

Carina’s role evolves from a casual colleague to a trusted confidante. Early on (Hoofdstuk 4), she is introduced as Scarlett’s friend who helps with paperwork and teases her. In the middle chapters (Hoofdstuk 16, Hoofdstuk 46), she becomes the keeper of Scarlett’s secrets and the voice of reason. In the later chapters (Hoofdstuk 52), she acts as a messenger and catalyst for the climax, urging Scarlett to go see Asher’s apology.

She remains consistent in her loyalty and never wavers in her support, even when Scarlett is struggling with chronic pain and heartbreak.

Relationships

With Scarlett

Their friendship is the core of Carina’s character. They share a close, sisterly bond. Carina knows about Scarlett’s chronic pain, her past with Rafael, and her fears. She respects Scarlett’s boundaries but pushes when necessary. In Hoofdstuk 46, they talk about paparazzi and Asher’s sacrifice, and Carina reassures Scarlett that her relationship is worth the risk.

With Asher

Carina is friendly and a fan, but her primary loyalty is to Scarlett. She meets Asher in Hoofdstuk 4 and is immediately charmed, but she uses that charm to tease Scarlett rather than interfere. She never advises Scarlett against Asher; instead, she encourages her to be honest about her feelings.

With Brooklyn

In Hoofdstuk 46, Carina interacts with Brooklyn during the girls’ night. She asks about Brooklyn’s internship and shares her own barista struggles. This shows she can form new friendships, expanding her social circle beyond Scarlett.

Key Decisions and Consequences

Carina’s most consequential decision is summoning Scarlett to see Asher’s car lineup in Hoofdstuk 52. She chooses to intervene at a critical moment, believing Scarlett needs to witness Asher’s gesture. This decision directly enables the reconciliation. Without Carina’s urgency, Scarlett might have continued avoiding Asher.

Another key moment: when Carina waves Asher over in the pub (Hoofdstuk 16), she forces Scarlett to confront her jealousy. That encounter deepens the romantic tension and leads Scarlett to admit her attraction.

Carina also decides to pursue her Antarctica dream by working extra jobs. This shows her willingness to work hard for her goals, even when mocked for being a bad barista.

Theme and Symbol Connections

Trust and Vulnerability

Carina represents the trusted friend to whom Scarlett can be vulnerable. She encourages Scarlett to open up about Asher, mirroring the novel’s theme that trust is required for love.

Chronic Pain and Resilience

Carina never pities Scarlett for her pain. She treats her as capable while acknowledging her limits. Her support helps Scarlett pursue the ballet performance despite physical struggles.

Secrecy and Public Scrutiny

Carina becomes a confidante for Scarlett’s secret relationship. She never leaks the information, demonstrating the value of a private confidante in a world of paparazzi and gossip.

Ambition Beyond Romance

Carina’s own ambition—the Antarctica trip—reminds readers that life exists outside the central romance. She is a symbol of personal drive and independence.

5 Book-Specific Questions and Answers

1. What is Carina’s dream destination and why?
Carina dreams of visiting Antarctica before she marries. She became fascinated with penguins after watching a documentary as a child, and that has remained a life goal despite the high cost.

2. How does Carina react when Scarlett tells her about the “almost” encounter with Asher?
Carina is thrilled and proud. She teases Scarlett and says “ik ben zo verdomd trots op je!” but also takes it seriously when Scarlett expresses fear about trusting a footballer.

3. Why does Carina wave Asher over at the Angry Boar?
She deliberately forces Scarlett to face her feelings. Carina knows Scarlett is lying to herself, and by calling Asher over, she hopes to break the tension and push Scarlett toward honesty.

4. What does Carina do at the end of the book to help reunite Asher and Scarlett?
In Hoofdstuk 52, Carina bursts into the dance studio and urgently tells Scarlett to come downstairs. She leads her to the parking lot where Asher and the team are waiting, making the grand gesture possible.

5. How does Carina’s job at Peggy’s Place go?
She is a terrible barista; she drinks the special lattes instead of making them. Scarlett notes that her lavender coffee was almost undrinkable, but Carina keeps the job to save money for Antarctica.

Conclusion

Carina may not be the protagonist, but she is the emotional backbone Scarlett needs. Her loyalty, humor, and insight ensure that Scarlett does not isolate herself. Through Carina, Ana Huang illustrates the importance of friendship as a foundation for romantic love. She is the friend who cheers, teases, and sometimes pushes—always for the better.