Summary

In Part II, “Monuments to a Scholarly Error,” Chapter 5, while hanging out, Julie gets annoyed with Charles for talking about books. Lara has assumed the role of “keeping the peace” between them (105). Julie whines that he only uses her for her car. The argument makes Lara wonder “if life without friends might be easier” (108).

After Julie leaves, Charles shows Lara his poems. She appreciates the pieces “about confusion” (110). When Yevgenia returns, Lara is anxious. She has never met Charles. At first, they seem skeptical of one another. When they start talking about books and poetry, they warm to each other. After Yevgenia leaves, Charles exclaims about how great Yevgenia is.

One day, Charles tells Lara “the Blackest thing” about her is that her father is absent (118). Crystal says he is being unkind. The three have begun hanging out. When the friends start arguing...