Despite Lydia’s expectations of erotic transgression, Jack becomes a confidant rather than a lover. Lydia finds that she can open up about her family and the pressures from both of her parents. Jack seems interested in her stories about Nath and asks questions about him. Jack also teaches Lydia to drive. Though she finds the maneuvers difficult, she vows that when she gets her permit, she will leave town.

Lydia is so upset about Nath leaving for college that she tears up the note regarding his campus visit to Harvard. When Nath realizes what she has done, he angrily affirms that he is going.

James, who notices that Lydia is depressed, gives her an early 16th birthday present, a silver heart locket on a chain, which Louisa helped him pick out. The locket features James’s picture and one of Lydia from the ninth-grade dance, which Lydia attended, although she stayed in a dark corner until it was time to go home.

The next day, on Lydia’s birthday, James drives her to the driving test center. Lydia is startled to see Louisa in the passenger seat. She notices the playful, flirtatious dynamic between Louisa and her father and suspects they are having an affair.