Grace prays it isn’t Macy’s friend James who grabs her. Luckily, it’s Flint. He teases her about how James—who was staring at Grace—can’t take a hint. Flint accompanies her to get some food, but then the doors fly open to reveal Jaxon and his group of all black-clothed male friends. They exude confidence, power, and danger. Everyone watches Jaxon’s group closely, out of fear or respect, Grace can’t tell. Jaxon stares at her. She immediately has sensual thoughts and tries to temper her emotions. Jaxon grabs a strawberry, walks to the center of the room, and bites it, his eyes never leaving Grace. She whirls away, feeling that his show is “meant to underscore just how insignificant” (87) she is.

Grace rushes from the party and finds the library. She regrets fleeing, as it makes her look weak, and Jaxon didn’t do anything but bite a strawberry. A strange dread comes over her, but Grace ignores it, exploring the library with its thousands of books, gargoyles, crystals, study alcoves, and bean bag chairs.

As she wanders the bookshelves, she hears someone chanting in an eerie language and thinks perhaps she’s hearing one of the native Alaskan languages. She finds a dark-haired, stunning girl chanting verses from an open book. When the girl sees Grace, she angrily stops mid-word.

The girl’s eyes shift from rage to welcome as she says Grace’s name. She introduces herself as Lia. She was researching an ancient language but doesn’t give further details. Lia invites Grace to have tea though she longs to explore the library. Lia tells her that Ms. Royce is an incredible librarian. As they leave, Lia locks up the library since Ms. Royce lets her use it after hours for her independent study.

Lia asks Grace about her adjustments to Alaska and shows her around the school. Lia shares that her boyfriend passed away last year, and she can’t get over him. Grace and Lia connect over grief, absorbing that “someone else hurts as much” (97) as they do, which comforts them.

Over tea, Lia tells Grace she was reading Akkadian, which evolved from ancient Sumerian. Grace enjoys language studies, linguists, and anthropology, too. Their conversation is interrupted by multiple texts from Macy asking where Grace went and if she’s okay. Grace texts Macy back, and Lia comments that Macy is the anxious type. Macy shows up, looking flustered. Lia suggests mani-pedis next time, adding as an afterthought that Macy can come.

As Grace and Macy leave Lia’s room, Macy is amazed that Lia invited her to hang out. Lia is the most popular girl in school and is normally reclusive. Grace suspects it’s from her boyfriend’s death, which shocks Macy because Lia usually doesn’t talk about Hudson. Hudson had recently graduated, but his death rattled the school. Grace feels sick again and vomits as soon as they get into their dorm room.

After Grace vomits, Macy wants to get the nurse. Grace refuses, promising she will go tomorrow if she’s not better. In the morning, the nausea, headache, and other symptoms have subsided, but Grace still isn’t up for attending class. Macy and her dad—via text—suggest she take a sick day.

Flint visits them, teasing that they must have taken the party up a notch last night. He asks Grace why she ran off, and she lies that it was altitude sickness. Flint asks if they want to join for a snowball fight later. Though Grace is still new to snow, Flint promises it will be fun. With Flint and Macy persuading her, Grace reluctantly agrees. Flint kisses her cheek and leaves. Macy’s eyes are wide and giddy at the kiss, but Flint doesn’t make Grace feel “anything close to what Jaxon does” (108).

Grace assures Macy the kiss on her cheek meant nothing, though her cousin believes Flint likes her romantically. From Macy’s tone, Grace accuses her of having a crush on Flint. Macy repeats that she loves Cam. She adds that the different groups don’t mix anyway. Grace has noticed the strange factions yet doesn’t understand why they can’t be together.

Uncle Finn comes to their room next. He checks Grace for a fever, and his hand on her forehand reminds her of her father. They even look alike, and Grace chokes down tears. Macy and Finn whisper while Grace falls asleep.

Grace spends her sick day feeling restless, so she dresses in layers to go for a walk outside. On her snowy trek, Grace walks to more of Katmere Academy’s buildings, such as the art building. Grace walks further, and she stumbles upon Jaxon and Lia talking in a gazebo.

Lia and Jaxon are having a serious, private conversation. They start yelling, and Lia slaps Jaxon across the face. On her second slap, he grabs her wrist, and Lia screams with “rage and agony” (117). Grace relates to Lia’s grief from losing her parents. Jaxon and Lia see Grace and look at her like she’s their prey. Though Jaxon rises to meet Grace, Lia pulls him back. She invites Grace to join them, but Grace excuses herself.

Jaxon catches up with her. Grace hurries, stating she’s cold, but Jaxon blocks her path. His danger and his looks consume her. Grace says she doesn’t answer to him, but he replies that everyone does eventually, which upsets Grace. She thinks he’s conceited, especially when he keeps walking beside her and smirking. He warns her not to trust Flint and to keep a low profile. Grace asks about his fight with Lia, and Jaxon says it was about his brother, Hudson. She tells Jaxon she’s sorry he’s hurting, but he hurries off. Once Grace is in her room, she realizes that neither Jaxon nor Lia was wearing a coat.

Macy and Grace get ready for the snowball fight with Flint and other classmates. Macy gives her pointers since over 50 people will be there. Grace asks if Jaxon will attend. She admits to their few encounters, which shocks Macy; Jaxon doesn’t usually talk to outsiders. She breaks off abruptly, and Grace asks her why she keeps doing this. Macy says Katmere is full of cliques and social rules: Jaxon’s clique is called The Order, made up of the most popular boys in school.

When Grace says she and Jaxon have spent time alone, Macy freaks out and calls Jaxon a “one-man demolition crew” and “very dangerous” (127). Grace explains how Jaxon saved her from Marc and Quinn, but Macy insists that Jaxon is bad news. Just then, Jaxon appears behind Grace, and Macy’s face turns white.