Overview

In a flashback to Hallie’s sixteenth birthday, Rio struggled with secrecy about their relationship while jealousy flared over popular senior Grant Newcastle’s attention to Hallie. After the party, Hallie slipped out to meet Rio as per their rooftop tradition, and they clarified that they are officially boyfriend and girlfriend. The chapter culminated in their first kiss, set to a song Hallie chose so they could remember the moment.

Full Summary

At Hallie Hart’s sixteenth birthday party, told from seventeen-year-old Rio’s perspective, Luke Hart bristled about boys attending his sister’s party. Rio, who had been secretly growing closer to Hallie—meeting on the roof, sleeping on her floor, and sharing intimate but chaste moments—felt guilty about hiding their relationship from Luke, his best friend. Rio worried that his slow pace and secrecy might push Hallie away.

The party filled with students across grades, and Hallie opened presents. A group of seniors arrived carrying beer, led by Grant Newcastle, the popular football captain and student body president. Rio despised Grant, especially after learning from Luke that Grant had asked Hallie to prom and that Hallie had declined. Luke casually said he would be fine with Hallie going with Grant, intensifying Rio’s anxiety and jealousy when Grant hugged Hallie and monopolized her attention.

Grant encouraged drinking despite Hallie’s refusal, and Luke retrieved liquor to impress the seniors. Rio objected, citing their athletic futures, but Luke brushed him off. A drinking game began, pairing Hallie with Grant while Luke drank her share, and the crowd celebrated Grant’s charisma. Rio, feeling replaced and powerless, left early, attempting to sleep through the noise and his jealousy.

Later that night, Hallie tapped on Rio’s window in the cold, asking if he was coming to their usual rooftop meeting. Rio pulled her inside, wrapped her in a blanket, and held her as she warmed up. They exchanged her annual birthday mixtape (“Year sixteen”) and settled together, and Rio brought up Grant’s prom invitation. Hallie plainly said she had said no because she was Rio’s girlfriend, assuming their status was an unspoken truth.

Startled, Rio admitted he had wanted that but had not asked directly. Hallie panicked that she had assumed too much, but Rio reassured her and asked her to be his girlfriend, which Hallie gladly affirmed. Wanting to mark the moment, Rio told Hallie to pick a song so they could memorialize their first kiss on next year’s playlist.

Hallie chose a track on Rio’s boombox, and after a brief, awkward start, they kissed for the first time—messy, imperfect, and perfect for them. With practice, they found their rhythm together, cementing their secret relationship on her sixteenth birthday.

Who Appears

• Rio — narrator; secretly in love with Hallie, struggles with jealousy and secrecy; officially asks Hallie to be his girlfriend and shares their first kiss.
• Hallie Hart — birthday girl; affirms she considers herself Rio’s girlfriend, declines Grant’s prom invite, brings Rio her “Year sixteen” mixtape, initiates and shares their first kiss.
• Luke Hart — Hallie’s brother and Rio’s best friend; protective of Hallie yet eager to impress seniors; retrieves alcohol for the party and would approve of Grant.
• Grant Newcastle — new; popular senior and football captain; invited to the party, pressures for drinking, hugs Hallie, and had asked her to prom.
• Friends/classmates — mixed group from sophomore, junior, and senior classes who attend the party and participate in drinking games.
• Parents — heard nearby at Rio’s house; their presence prompts the need for secrecy and caution.