Jet meets Sully at Cowtown Cup, where she works, and he raises the idea of her moving to New York. Citing her dislike of crowds and cold, Jet refuses; Sully admits the distance is too hard and ends the relationship. Jet feels detached and notes her inability to feel deeply, while Nana later offers comfort food and platitudes that Jet deflects with sarcasm.

On Christmas, Jet and Nana spend a quiet day together; Jet feigns enthusiasm over a photography book, feeling that photography is dead to her. Nana leaves a message for Ryan that goes unanswered. When Shauna invites them to a small New Year’s gathering, Jet resists, but Nana insists, saying, “The living have living to do,” and Jet relents.

At the Darnells’ party, Nana tries to socialize Jet and boast about her photography, which Jet finds unbearable. Jet learns Kendi chose not to attend to make her comfortable, but Michael escorts Ryan in, triggering Jet’s dread. Jet purges in the bathroom and then attempts awkward small talk with Ryan about his gallery, before preparing to leave early with Nana.

Outside, Ryan follows Jet onto the porch and says he came to see her, not for New Year’s. Jet challenges him to say when he last drank; he admits he drank the night before but not that day. Jet appreciates the honesty yet says she is exhausted because of him. When Ryan asserts that Lillian loved him despite his problems, Jet states she is not Lillian and that Lillian is gone. Fireworks punctuate their shared grief moments before Nana emerges and Jet insists on leaving.

Back home near eleven, Jet takes Seth outside and impulsively texts Kendi. After brief messages, Kendi invites her to their park if she brings ice cream. Jet arrives in her party dress, and they share Blue Bell on a picnic table, reminiscing about past New Year’s—pistachios, a celebrity matchmaking scheme for Shauna before Michael, and a middle-school party where they practiced a kiss before kissing other kids at midnight.

At midnight, Kendi grows serious and apologizes for not saving Lillian and for being there when Jet was not. Jet, moved and crying, considers his pain for the first time and tells him he could not have done anything differently, believing it for the first time. The absolution visibly relieves Kendi, though he says he still wishes it were different.

They briefly discuss Ryan—“same”—and catch up on college: Kendi’s aerospace engineering studies at LeTourneau, cafeteria life, friends, and his new girlfriend, Leah. Jet shares the breakup with Sully and her stalled photography. Kendi affirms her talent, and they part warmly, agreeing to see each other soon. Jet reflects that while Lillian is still dead and Ryan still drinks, she has gotten her best friend back.