Matched

Cassia and Xander are at the picnic. They find their friend Em on a blanket and sit with her. Someone calls out to Xander and when he leaves, Cassia and Em discuss the latter’s encroaching Match Banquet. Em is worried because she already took her green pill instead of waiting for the Banquet, but Cassia reassures her that it will be amazing. A bell rings, and they get up to plant beds of flowers called newroses—which is part of the agreement for the picnic. Cassia tells Em that she’ll lend her the compact for the night, as it will complement her yellow dress.

As they plant flowers, Cassia searches for Ky, wanting to talk to him again. She keeps thinking about him, and Xander can see she’s distracted. He asks if she’s worried about her father, and she replies that she doesn’t know. If anything, she’s less angry with her father. When the bell rings again, Cassia proudly surveys the group’s work. She realizes that her family has never created anything; they’ve only sorted, always following the rules. She did exactly what she was told and “something beautiful happened” (145). Everyone receives ice cream. Normally, they aren’t allowed to share food, but this day is an exception and Xander generously gives Cassia his last bite.