November opens in a rush of meets, travel, and classes. With Victoria back and chirping from the deck, Scarlett keeps producing serviceable inward dives, guided by Sam’s “done is better than perfect” framing. At a small away meet in Pullman, Pen wins platform, Scarlett places third, and their synchro pairs podium, briefly restoring Scarlett’s joy in competition. Lukas texts congratulations after ten silent days, a tender spark that underscores his absence.

Back at Avery, seagulls shut down the pool, and strength training replaces practice. Scarlett overhears that Lukas returned from Europe for a Seattle med school interview and plans to defer, news she realizes he never shared. Pen teases Scarlett about missing him and, over lunch, reveals her own relationship with Theo is warming—he’s invited her to spend Thanksgiving together—while describing Lukas as emotionally reserved.

The team travels to Minnesota, where Scarlett earns 7/7/7.5 on an inward and edges closer to the twins in synchro. After a German makeup exam, she spars academically with Dr. Carlsen, who ultimately offers a med school recommendation, citing her research with Dr. Smith. Maryam departs for Florida, leaving a joking “gold medal” and texts.

Choosing rest over obsessive training, Scarlett books Thanksgiving in St. Louis after Sam’s nudge. On the last practice day, she notices Lukas poolside with Pen, swallows her nerves, and nails her best inward yet. Outside, Lukas waits for her; they discuss Olive’s email about a bio conference and agree to present together—good for applications, and, he admits, fun with her. They nearly make other plans, trade small talk about Thanksgiving and his “troll” good-luck stamp, and he tucks a lock of her hair back, a fleeting, intimate touch.

They part with Lukas’s “keep in touch, if you want,” and Scarlett leaves for the airport, carrying the promise of their collaboration and the ache of their secrecy, with Winter Nationals looming.