Finn — Five

At 5:30, Finn distracts himself with chores after texting Autumn and getting a curt "Writing" in reply. He notes her closed curtains and reflects on her identity as a voracious reader and aspiring writer, relieved she chose creative writing over teaching, and resentful of Jamie’s past influence.

Thinking back to Wuthering Heights and his own jealousy, Finn recognizes how obsession makes him worse. He considers Jack’s accusation that Autumn might be toying with him—possibly to needle Sylvie—but doubts Autumn would act so cruelly, even while acknowledging her flaws and depression.

Unable to focus on his book, Finn remembers an SAT study moment when he accidentally linked "pulchritudinous" to Autumn, and Sylvie silently caught the lie he told to cover it. The memory underscores how long his feelings have leaked through.

Finn impulsively texts Autumn, "Can I come over?" and tries to wait it out with pizza and soccer clips, fearing she may have awakened in the tent and overheard his confessions to Jack. He urges himself to talk to her honestly but shifts to the immediate crisis: deciding what to tell Sylvie.

Recalling how he once convinced Sylvie that Autumn was only a "first love" turned sibling-like, Finn admits he can’t be truthful now without losing both Sylvie and his friendship with Autumn. He sees the irrationality of choosing a friendship with unrequited love over a devoted girlfriend, realizes he is in over his head, and remains paralyzed.