Deepening Relationships
As Miles settles into life at Culver Creek, his relationships with his new friends deepen. He spends more time with the Colonel, Alaska, and Takumi, learning about their backgrounds and personalities.
Characterization: The Colonel is revealed to be fiercely loyal to his friends but struggles with a volatile relationship with his girlfriend, Sara.
Miles begins to excel in his classes, particularly enjoying Dr. Hyde's challenging discussions. However, he also starts to push boundaries, including smoking with his friends at their secret spot, "the Smoking Hole."
Example: Miles' first experience smoking with Alaska at the lake marks a turning point in his willingness to take risks.
The group's dynamics become more complex as romantic interests develop. Miles finds himself increasingly attracted to Alaska, despite her having a boyfriend named Jake.
Highlight: The tension between Miles' growing feelings for Alaska and her existing relationship becomes a central conflict in the story.