Title: Feelings Behind the Words
1. Setting the Scene
- The chapter begins with tension between Kara and Felix.
- Daisy, who is younger, tries to help Felix with something, but Felix reacts sharply.
- This small event starts an emotional conversation that reveals a lot about how the characters feel.
2. The Incident
- Daisy innocently tries to help Felix.
- Instead of thanking her, Felix gets annoyed and speaks rudely.
- His harsh words hurt Daisy’s feelings and upset Kara, who cares about her cousin.
3. Kara Speaks Up
- Kara defends Daisy, saying:
“Daisy was only trying to help, you know.” - She believes Felix acted unfairly and too harshly toward a child who meant no harm.
- This shows Kara’s sense of fairness and kindness.
4. Felix’s Defense
- Felix replies coldly:
“Well, I’m sorry if I offended her, but you can tell your sister I don’t need her help.” - His words sound proud and dismissive.
- Deep inside, Felix feels embarrassed that he needed help and wants to hide his insecurity.
- He pretends not to care but actually feels hurt and defensive.
5. Kara’s Correction
- Kara quickly answers:
“You can tell her you’re sorry yourself… Anyway, she’s my cousin, not my sister.” - This line shows that Kara is angry and disappointed.
- She wants Felix to take responsibility for his words instead of avoiding the situation.
6. Felix Shuts Down
- Felix ends the argument with a short, cold response:
“Whatever.” - This shows that he feels frustrated and defeated but doesn’t want to show weakness.
- The word “whatever” acts as a wall to stop the conversation.
7. Felix’s Real Feelings Come Out
- Later, Felix says:
“Look, if people get their kicks from laughing at me, it’s their problem, not mine. It’s no big deal.” - This moment reveals his true feelings — he feels hurt and humiliated because people laugh at him.
- But he hides this pain behind a tough attitude.
- He wants to look strong, but inside he is struggling with insecurity and loneliness.
8. Kara Understands
- Kara begins to understand that Felix’s rudeness comes from his hurt feelings, not from real anger.
- She sees that Felix acts proud and distant to protect himself from being laughed at or judged.
- Kara starts to feel sympathy instead of only anger.
9. Ending Note
- The chapter closes quietly, leaving the tension between them unresolved but showing emotional growth.
- Both characters have deeper feelings than their words show —
Kara shows care and fairness, while Felix hides his pain through pride.
10. Main Themes and Emotions
| Theme | Description |
|---|---|
| Misunderstanding | Felix’s pride causes conflict when others only want to help. |
| Pride and Insecurity | Felix pretends not to care to hide his hurt feelings. |
| Empathy and Growth | Kara learns to look beyond words and see the feelings behind them. |
| Apology and Forgiveness | The story hints that understanding others’ feelings is more important than being right. |