Content Warning: This section of the guide includes brief discussions of miscarriage.

The narrative returns to 2008, following Diana as she enters the luncheon for PSAT high scorers. Noticing Diana arrive alone, Paul discreetly organizes a table for Diana, James, Astra, and himself separate from their parents. Paul invites Diana to prom, and Diana accepts, unnerved by her growing emotional connection to Paul.

Eugene borrows Edith’s car to drive a man to Washington, DC, for $800. Although Diana protests this decision after having just paid for the car’s repairs, Edith owns the vehicle and consistently enables her son’s poor choices. Eugene crashes the car, totaling it. He asks Diana for a cash wire for a return bus ticket. Diana discovers a car for sale for $275. Realizing she only has $18, Diana decides to steal the expensive equipment from Frank Schabert’s garage.

Frank catches Diana, chasing her down and forcing her to return the items. Although he does not contact the police, he makes several comments about people using government assistance when instead they should work to get ahead. He expresses disappointment in Diana, revealing he read about her PSAT score in the newspaper. Diana explains that she is trying to pay bills to support herself and her grandmother as she returns the stolen items.