Chapter 26 begins with an article about Nick’s suicide, focusing on Nick’s mother’s response. She asks for remorse for his death, which includes asking for validation for his life. As the news article commemorates the most significant person in Valerie’s past, the present timeline focuses on her budding future.

As the girls and the rest of student council decorate the room for Mrs. Stone’s birthday, Valerie listens as Jessica describes how her father bought her Justin Timberlake tickets; she plans on going with her older brother. To Valerie, Jessica’s family sounds like a perfect family. However, the conversation turns to another imperfect family: Meghan’s troubled brother, Troy, who struggled in school and continues to struggle after graduation.

The conversation ends with Jessica and Meghan inviting Valerie to a party at Alex’s farm, a party for popular kids at which, a year ago, Valerie would never have been welcome. Jessica also invites her to a sleepover at her house. When Mrs. Stone arrives, she seems particularly happy to see the three former enemies, Jessica, Meghan, and Valerie, getting along.

Mr. Angerson says Jessica and Valerie can no longer eat in the hallway and must eat in the Commons, with the rest of the students, so Valerie joins a table with Jessica’s friends.