56 pages • 1-hour read
Betting on You
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Symbols & Motifs
Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of cursing.
Games
In Betting on You, games are more than just distractions—they symbolize the protagonists’ deep-seated desire to cling to childhood and escape the emotional heaviness of their lives. For both Charlie and Bailey, whose lives have been reshaped by divorce, the simplicity of playful competition offers a temporary reprieve from the uncertainty and emotional strain that dominate their personal worlds.
Charlie is particularly known for inventing silly games, often while working shifts at Planet Funn. From timing who can make it to the bathroom and back fastest to creating a game based on guessing what snack someone is most likely to get at a vending machine, Charlie thrives on constructing low-stakes challenges that allow him to remain emotionally distant. Bailey reflects during one such game, “It was just one of multiple games Charlie would come up with that helped us pass the time at the front desk […] he sure put a lot of effort into making up things to do to avoid whatever it was he wanted to avoid” (120). These games aren’t about winning—they’re about escape. In a life where so much feels out of their control, the rules of a game are comforting; they’re clear, simple, and, most importantly, unthreatening.
The games also create a space where Charlie and Bailey can revert to a version of themselves that predates emotional upheaval. Bailey notes, “Charlie always had me doing stupid things that were pointless and silly, things I never would’ve done and should’ve said no to, but it was easier to just play along” (120). Her choice to play along reflects not only her growing affection for Charlie but also her own quiet yearning for the levity she’s lost.
As their feelings deepen, the boundaries between games and reality begin to blur. A pretend romance becomes real, marked by a kiss that doesn’t feel like part of the plan: “I just knew—that this was no longer a game of pretend. And it didn’t make sense, but I didn’t want it to” (280-81). In this moment, the illusion gives way to something vulnerable and genuine. The game, once a shield, leads to an inevitable moment of confrontation.
Protostars
Charlie and Bailey’s assignment to the “Protostars” group at Planet Funnn serves as a symbolic reflection of The Costs of Early Maturity. Unlike other peers, who are sorted into more exuberant, high-energy roles focused on fun, the Protostars are tasked with jobs requiring responsibility, professionalism, and structure—traits typically associated with adults rather than teenagers. This categorization subtly underscores how both Charlie and Bailey have, by necessity, grown up too quickly.
As Bailey recounts, “Mr. Cleveland […] explained that our group scored high in professionalism but very low on the fun vibe. He said our love language wasn’t socialization but rule-following” (52). While Bailey is very much categorized based on her propensity for following rules, Charlie later reveals that he was switched to the Protostars group because of his cynicism.
The jobs given to Protostars—front desk, concessions, host station, and “Funcierge” duties—are ones that demand poise, patience, and the ability to deal with customer complaints. These aren’t the carefree, joy-filled roles that teens usually seek in a place called Planet Funnn; they’re the backbone positions that ensure that things run smoothly behind the scenes. That Charlie and Bailey are placed here implies competence and a readiness to assume responsibilities that most of their peers avoid. The name “Protostars” itself reinforces this idea: A protostar is not yet a full star but is on its way to becoming one—much like Charlie and Bailey, who are still adolescents but already embody the emotional labor and practical skills of adults.
“Bay”
In Betting on You, Bailey’s nickname “Bay” functions as a subtle but meaningful symbol of permanence, intimacy, and belonging in Bailey’s life. It is used exclusively by those with whom she shares—or ultimately builds—deep, enduring connections: her mother, her father, Nekesa, and Charlie. In contrast, the people who remain on the periphery of her emotional world, like Zack or initially Scott, either don’t use the nickname or provoke discomfort when they do.
Bailey’s internal reaction to Scott’s use of “Bay” reveals just how personal the name is to her. When Scott casually refers to her by the nickname early in their acquaintance, Bailey’s visceral internal reaction is almost violent: “MY NAME IS BAILEY, YOU SHOELESS DOUCHEBAG! […] only my friends and my mom got to call me that” (76). Her anger seems disproportionate, but it speaks to how sacred the nickname feels to her—it is a term reserved for people who have earned a place in her inner life. For Bailey, the name functions as emotional shorthand for familiarity and consistency—things that have felt elusive since her parents’ divorce and the upheaval that followed.
The intimacy embedded in the name becomes even more apparent in Bailey’s growing relationship with Charlie. She notes that the nickname feels “closer than [they] actually [a]re” when Charlie uses it early in their connection (124), as if her heart recognizes the permanence of their bond before her mind is ready to accept it. Over time, as Charlie becomes someone she depends on and someone who shows up for her in ways others haven’t, “Bay” starts to feel right coming from him—proof that he’s entered the small circle of people who truly see and understand her.
Zack, her ex, never calls her “Bay,” and Bailey notes this specifically to Charlie: “I was never Bay to him, for the record” (216). It’s a quiet but sharp contrast that implies that their relationship lacked a deeper emotional resonance. Even when Scott later calls her “Bay,” it still triggers a stomach knot, showing that it isn’t just about the word but also about who says it and whether they’ve truly earned that closeness. However, even though she’s resistant to Scott calling her “Bay,” it also shows that he is willing to be a permanent, stable parental figure for her should she choose to eventually accept him.
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