Hannah leaves for Christmas break exhausted and miserable after the showcase. Since breaking up with Garrett under false pretenses, she has run into him three times on campus, and each time Garrett has pressed her about the other men she supposedly wants to date. Because Hannah knows her story will fall apart if she does not act like she meant it, she feels trapped between maintaining the lie and admitting she still loves him.

Back in Philadelphia, Hannah finds some relief in being with her family. Holiday activities with her parents help distract her, and after Hannah's mother notices how miserable she is, Hannah confesses the truth about Garrett to her. In response, Hannah's mother throws herself into cheering her up. Hannah also reflects on the showcase aftermath: Fiona pulled her back for the ceremony, Hannah won the scholarship, and the money will help cover her next semester's expenses.

On New Year's Eve, Hannah spends a quiet night at home with her family and family friends. As everyone counts down to midnight, Hannah suddenly remembers that January 1 is also Garrett's birthday. The moment makes her emotional, and when Hannah's father realizes why she is upset, he urges her to call Garrett so she will not regret staying silent.

Hannah goes upstairs, hesitates, and then calls him. Garrett answers immediately, and after they exchange New Year's and birthday wishes, Hannah hears that he is calm and alone rather than out celebrating. Garrett again needles her about all the men she claims to be dating, and Hannah keeps the lie going, insisting she is having fun exploring. Garrett's smug skepticism makes it clear he does not believe her, and after he says she can tell him all about it when they return to campus, Hannah is left panicking over how long she can keep pretending she does not want him.