On the night of Charlie’s family Christmas dinner, she faints in the driveway. Her parents are concerned when she revives moments later, but she assures them she is fine. Inside, she falls asleep on the couch. When she wakes up, everyone is eating dinner without her.

On New Year’s Eve Day, Austin’s parents take Skylar to the audiologist for a checkup. When they return, Austin can tell from his mother’s demeanor that they are hiding something from him. At dinner, when his grandparents also notice that something is off, Austin’s parents reveal that they are considering getting a cochlear implant for Skylar. Austin and his grandparents are in disbelief, as they consider the implant an affront to deafness and a tool to keep Deaf people palatable to the hearing world. Austin’s father also reveals that River Valley is closing after the school year ends. Austin is so upset that he leaves. On his way out, he runs into Charlie, who came for the party, and leads her to the bus stop. On the bus, she tries to get him to talk about what happened. When she asks where they are going, he cannot give her an answer, because he does not know.