The chapter shifted to fifteen years earlier during Cam’s senior year spring break. Unlike in private school, Cam missed public school because she had found connection with Chloe and Dusty, and she was eager for classes to resume so she could see Dusty again.

At a rare Saturday breakfast with her mother, Lillian, Cam was accused of being distracted. Lillian raised the issue of a high texting volume and a slight dip in grades, using Cam’s A-minus in AP Calculus at a public school as grounds for criticism. Cam deflected by saying many texts were for soccer, but Lillian’s suspicion and judgment were clear.

Lillian hinted Cam might be distracted by “anyone,” triggering Cam’s memory of the night Lillian caught her with Dusty. After dragging Cam into the house, Lillian delivered a cold condemnation—“You are so disappointing”—and later, both parents declared Cam reckless and demanded she keep her distance from Dusty under vague threats of consequences. Cam recalled feeling small, with her mother emotionless and her father bored and disgusted.

Back at the table, Lillian insisted Cam maintain an unwavering focus on her future and reminded her that parental financial support and the trust fund depended on meeting their standards. Cam reflected on how her parents dangled money as leverage while she yearned for genuine pride, attention, and normal family moments that never came.

Lillian concluded by disparaging Dusty directly, asserting Cam was “better than him,” which made Cam lose her appetite. After breakfast, Cam retreated to her room, watched movies, and texted Dusty, who was at work, closing on her hope that someday she would not feel so alone.