Chapter 36

At school, Ella positions herself behind Brittany Carter in the cafeteria line to be near the girl she believes is her half sister. She studies Brittany’s features, noting their shared blue eyes, and struggles to find words when Brittany briefly acknowledges her before turning away to whisper with a friend, leaving Ella anxious and self-conscious.

At the register, Ella has no money and is forced to step out of line under Brittany and Meredith’s giggles, amplifying her humiliation. She returns to the tables, where Anton—who has been her confidant about Brittany and her quest for her father—waves her over.

Hungry, Ella discovers her packed bread is moldy. Seeing her distress, Anton offers an extra peanut butter and jelly sandwich, framing it as “no big deal,” and Ella accepts, grateful yet sensitive about seeming like a charity case.

Anton invites Ella to the movies after school. Aware of his reputation for sneaking in, Ella refuses; even when Anton offers to buy tickets, she declines, unwilling to owe him more and wary of doing anything that might make her seem like a criminal to her father.

As lunch ends, Anton doesn’t press the issue, but Ella feels misunderstood. Despite Anton’s kindness, she remains isolated, preoccupied with her uncertain paternity and obsession with Brittany, which continues to shape her choices and distance her from simple support.