Ada waits after school for her father to pick her up for ice cream, a one-on-one tradition meant to give her attention apart from Nico. Unsure where to meet him, Ada waits behind the school where it grows quiet, and thoughts of missing Braden Lundie make her anxious.

Gabe approaches Ada and presses her for attention, asking first about her ride and then whether she will go on a date with him. When Ada refuses and says she is not allowed to date, Gabe escalates by asking to hold her hand and then grabbing Ada’s hand and tightening his grip around her wrist despite Ada’s protests.

Before Ada can defend herself, her father rushes over, shouting in anger and frightening Gabe into letting go. Ada’s father forces Gabe to apologize directly to Ada and threatens consequences if Gabe ever touches her again, sending Gabe running away.

In the truck, Ada’s father studies the red mark on Ada’s wrist and admits the incident scared him because he will not always be present to protect her. He alludes to a promise he once made to his sister, Antonia, hinting at unresolved grief.

To prepare Ada to protect herself, Ada’s father gives her the pocketknife his own father gave him. He instructs Ada to carry it and never use it unless absolutely necessary, then bluntly describes how to use the blade to survive an attack. Ada takes the knife, unsettled but trusting his urgency.