Finch writes a set of “guidelines” for his planned adventures with Violet. These include a prohibition of cell phones in lieu of hard copy maps and an agreement to alternate choices of destinations, as long as they are “nothing ordinary.” Additionally, he proposes that they leave some token of their visit at each site in order to “give something back […] prove we’ve been there [and…] leave a part of us behind” (44).

Violet regrets having told her parents that she has been invited to a sleepover at the home of her former close friend, Amanda Monk. They cajole her into attending the party, although Violet wonders if she and her friend ever really shared much in common. Since Violet’s resignation from cheerleading, she has seen very little of Amanda. Her former friend’s popularity seem to stem from her father’s “chain of liquor stores” and the fact that “she puts out” (46). 

Upon her arrival, Violet realizes that this is a drinking party. “Roamer,” the popular boy who harasses Finch, is asking another boy about his romantic success on a recent date. He questions Violet carefully about why she had been present on the tower with Finch, and he is clearly skeptical of her explanation.