Plot Summary
Shattered Breakfasts, Shaky Beginnings
Rob's mornings are a grim echo of his old life, eating breakfast across from his father, now a silent, drooling shell after a failed suicide attempt following a financial scandal. His mother, once a homemaker, now works, and the family's fortune and reputation are gone. Meanwhile, Maegan's home is tense: her sister Samantha, a college athlete, is unexpectedly pregnant and hiding it, while Maegan herself is still reeling from being caught cheating on the SAT, a mistake that tainted her once-perfect reputation. Both teens are isolated, their families fractured, and their sense of self shaken as they head into another day at school, dreading the judgment and loneliness that await.
Outcasts and Unspoken Secrets
At school, Rob avoids the front entrance, haunted by whispers and the loss of his old life and friends, especially Connor, who now rules the social scene. Maegan, dropped off by her cop father, is equally isolated, her former friends keeping their distance after her scandal. Both are marked by their families' failures—Rob by his father's crimes, Maegan by her own mistake—and both feel the sting of being outsiders. Their paths cross in calculus, where a group project forces them together, but neither wants the partnership, each wary of the other's baggage and the risk of further rejection.
Calculus Partners, Calculated Distance
Forced to work together, Rob and Maegan are initially defensive and cold, each assuming the worst of the other. Rob's bitterness and Maegan's anxiety clash, but beneath the surface, both are desperate not to be let down again. Their first interactions are awkward, colored by the rumors that swirl around them. Yet, as they begin to communicate—first about the project, then about their lives—they discover a shared sense of loss and a longing for understanding. The calculus project becomes a fragile bridge, offering the possibility of connection if they can lower their guards.
Lunchroom Divides, Silent Gifts
The lunchroom is a microcosm of the school's social hierarchies and economic disparities. Rob, once privileged, now counts every dollar, feeling the weight of suspicion whenever he spends money. A tense encounter with Connor, his former best friend, ends with Rob giving a dropped ten-dollar bill to Owen, a classmate whose family was ruined by Rob's father. This small act of kindness is both a gesture of guilt and an attempt at redemption. Meanwhile, Maegan navigates her own social minefield, trying to support her sister and maintain her own integrity, even as she feels the pressure to keep secrets and avoid further mistakes.
Sisters, Scandals, and Support
At home, Maegan finds Samantha struggling with the fallout of her pregnancy and a broken relationship with the baby's father, a married professor. The sisters, once close, are now separated by secrets and shame, but a shared dinner rekindles their bond. Maegan's compassion and willingness to listen help Samantha open up, revealing the depth of her vulnerability. The family's struggles mirror Rob's, as both teens grapple with the consequences of choices—some their own, some not—and the challenge of supporting loved ones through crisis.
Nighttime Meetings, New Understandings
Rob and Maegan's partnership deepens when they meet late at night to work on their project. Away from the judgmental eyes of their peers, they drop their defenses and share their burdens—Rob's anger and guilt over his father, Maegan's anxiety about her family and her own mistakes. Their conversation is awkward but honest, and a fragile trust begins to form. Both realize that their pain is not unique, and that connection is possible even in the midst of shame and isolation. The night ends with a promise to meet again, signaling the start of something more than just a school assignment.
Small Kindnesses, Big Wounds
Rob's small act of giving money to Owen leads to an unexpected lunchroom alliance, as the two begin to share food and conversation. Both are marked by their families' financial ruin, and both struggle with the stigma of poverty and the suspicion of others. Meanwhile, Maegan's family is consumed by arguments over Samantha's pregnancy, with her parents divided over what should be done. The tension at home and at school underscores the difficulty of doing the right thing when the rules—and the consequences—are unclear.
Family Tensions, Private Battles
Rob's relationship with his mother is strained by the demands of caring for his father and the pressure to move on. His mother urges him to seek counseling and reconnect with old friends, but Rob is haunted by memories of his father's downfall and the loss of his social circle. Maegan, meanwhile, is caught between her parents' expectations and her sister's needs, struggling to balance loyalty and honesty. Both teens are searching for meaning in the chaos, trying to find a way to forgive themselves and those they love.
Unlikely Alliances, Shared Pain
As Rob and Maegan grow closer, they begin to confide in each other about their families' secrets and their own feelings of guilt and inadequacy. Rob's friendship with Owen deepens, as they bond over their shared outsider status and the challenges of living with the consequences of their parents' actions. Maegan's relationship with her sister becomes a source of strength, as they support each other through difficult decisions. The lines between right and wrong blur, and the teens are forced to confront the reality that everyone is carrying hidden pain.
Breaking Rules, Building Trust
Rob and Maegan's partnership evolves into a genuine friendship—and possibly more—as they begin to break small rules together, sharing answers and secrets. Their willingness to be honest with each other, even about their worst moments, builds a foundation of trust that neither has experienced in a long time. Yet, the risk of exposure and the fear of judgment remain ever-present, threatening to undo the fragile progress they have made.
Guilt, Giving, and Gray Areas
Rob's guilt over his father's crimes leads him to acts of secret generosity—stealing from those who won't miss it to help those in need, like Owen and his mother. Maegan is torn between her loyalty to Rob and her own sense of right and wrong, especially as she learns more about his actions. The boundaries between justice and revenge, charity and theft, become increasingly blurred, forcing both teens to question what it really means to do the right thing.
Confrontations, Confessions, and Consequences
The tension comes to a head at a party, where Rob and Maegan's relationship is exposed, Samantha's secret is revealed, and old friendships are tested. Rob's thefts are discovered, leading to his arrest and a crisis of conscience. Maegan is forced to confront her own complicity and the limits of her loyalty. The consequences of their actions ripple outward, affecting not only themselves but their families and friends, and forcing everyone to reckon with the truth.
Parties, Pressure, and Public Shame
The party becomes a crucible for Rob and Maegan, as they face public humiliation, violence, and the loss of trust. Rob's confrontation with Connor and his subsequent arrest mark a turning point, as he is forced to confront the reality of his actions and the impossibility of undoing the past. Maegan, too, must face the consequences of her choices, both at home and at school, as she struggles to maintain her integrity in the face of overwhelming pressure.
Theft, Truth, and Turning Points
In the aftermath of the party and Rob's arrest, both teens are forced to confront the truth about themselves and their families. Rob's mother confesses her own role in his father's crimes, shattering his last illusions but also opening the door to understanding and forgiveness. Maegan reconciles with her sister and her friends, realizing that one mistake does not define a person's entire future. Both begin to see the possibility of change, even in the midst of loss.
Reckonings, Reconciliations, and Restorations
The truth about the Tunstalls' involvement in the financial crimes comes to light, leading to their arrest and a measure of justice for Rob's family. Rob and Connor reconcile, finding common ground in their shared pain and the realization that they were both victims of their fathers' choices. Maegan and Rob, now free from the weight of secrets and shame, begin to build a new relationship based on honesty and mutual respect. The possibility of healing and restoration emerges, even as the scars of the past remain.
Choices, Forgiveness, and Moving Forward
In the aftermath, Rob finds a new home and support system, Maegan's family begins to heal, and Samantha makes peace with her future. The teens learn that forgiveness—of themselves and others—is possible, and that the future is not determined by a single mistake. As they move forward, they carry the lessons of the past with them, choosing hope and connection over shame and isolation. The story ends with the promise of new beginnings, grounded in the hard-won understanding that everyone is more than the sum of their worst moments.
Characters
Rob Lachlan Jr.
Once the golden boy of his school, Rob is now a pariah after his father's embezzlement scandal and failed suicide attempt. He is burdened by guilt, anger, and the loss of his social standing, struggling to care for his incapacitated father and support his mother. Rob's psychological journey is marked by self-loathing, a desperate need for connection, and a longing to make amends for his father's crimes. His relationships—with Maegan, Owen, and even Connor—are fraught with mistrust and vulnerability, but through them, he learns the value of honesty, forgiveness, and the courage to hope for something better.
Maegan Day
Maegan is a high-achieving student whose life is upended after she is caught cheating on the SAT. The incident shatters her self-image and isolates her from her peers, leaving her desperate to prove her worth. Her family's turmoil—her sister's pregnancy, her father's expectations—adds to her anxiety. Maegan's relationship with Rob challenges her to confront her own flaws and to see the humanity in others. Through her journey, she learns that mistakes do not define a person, and that compassion and honesty are more important than perfection.
Samantha Day
Samantha, Maegan's older sister, is a star athlete whose unexpected pregnancy threatens her future. Outwardly confident and assertive, she is inwardly struggling with shame, fear, and the loss of control. Her relationship with Maegan is both a source of tension and support, as the sisters navigate the complexities of family, secrets, and forgiveness. Samantha's journey is one of accepting help, making difficult choices, and redefining her sense of self beyond her achievements.
Owen Goettler
Owen is a classmate whose family was devastated by Rob's father's crimes. Living in poverty, he is resourceful, witty, and fiercely independent, refusing to be defined by his circumstances. His unlikely friendship with Rob is built on shared pain and a mutual desire for justice. Owen's perspective challenges Rob and Maegan to see the world in shades of gray, and his willingness to forgive is a testament to his strength of character.
Connor Tunstall
Once Rob's best friend, Connor inherits Rob's social status after the scandal but is himself trapped by his father's expectations and secrets. His relationship with Rob is marked by betrayal, resentment, and ultimately, a painful reconciliation. Connor's journey reveals the damage caused by parental pressure and the difficulty of breaking free from toxic legacies.
Carolyn Lachlan
Rob's mother is a complex figure, struggling to hold her family together in the wake of her husband's crimes. Her complicity in the financial scheme is revealed late, adding another layer of betrayal to Rob's pain. Yet, her actions are driven by a desire to protect her son, and her eventual honesty paves the way for healing.
Jim Day
Maegan's father is a police officer whose sense of justice is challenged by his daughters' mistakes. His love is often expressed through strictness and high expectations, but beneath the surface, he is deeply concerned for his family's well-being. His journey is one of learning to balance authority with compassion.
Rachel
Maegan's best friend, Rachel stands by her through the SAT scandal but harbors her own insecurities and resentments. Her family's financial loss due to Rob's father adds another layer of complexity to her feelings. Rachel's arc is about confronting her own pain and learning to forgive.
Drew
Rachel's boyfriend, Drew is quick to judge Rob and fiercely loyal to Rachel. His own experiences with prejudice and injustice inform his skepticism, but his bluntness often masks a genuine desire to protect those he cares about.
Mr. London
The school librarian, Mr. London is a steady presence in Rob's life, offering understanding and support when Rob feels most alone. His own experiences with family rejection and reconciliation provide a model for Rob, and his willingness to help becomes a lifeline for the troubled teen.
Plot Devices
Dual Narration and Mirrored Arcs
The novel alternates between Rob and Maegan's points of view, allowing readers to see the same events through different lenses. This structure highlights the similarities in their struggles—shame, isolation, the burden of family secrets—while also emphasizing their unique challenges. The dual narration creates dramatic irony, as each character is often unaware of the other's true feelings, and it allows for a gradual, organic development of trust and intimacy.
Symbolic Acts and Moral Ambiguity
The story is rich with symbolic acts—Rob giving away money, Maegan supporting her sister, both breaking small rules—that serve as metaphors for larger moral questions. The recurring theme of theft, both literal and metaphorical, forces characters to confront the gray areas between right and wrong, justice and mercy. The use of secrets and confessions as plot devices drives the narrative forward, creating tension and opportunities for growth.
Foreshadowing and Reversals
Early references to Rob's father's crimes, Maegan's cheating, and Samantha's pregnancy foreshadow the larger reckonings to come. The story is structured around a series of reversals—friendships lost and regained, secrets exposed and forgiven, mistakes leading to unexpected opportunities for redemption. The narrative arc moves from despair to hope, emphasizing the transformative power of honesty and connection.
Social Hierarchies and Economic Disparities
The high school setting serves as a microcosm for the larger world, with its rigid social hierarchies and economic disparities. The lunchroom, in particular, becomes a stage for exploring issues of privilege, poverty, and the ways in which small acts of kindness—or cruelty—can have outsized effects. The contrast between Rob's former wealth and Owen's poverty underscores the arbitrary nature of fortune and the importance of empathy.
Family Secrets and Generational Legacies
The novel is driven by the secrets families keep—embezzlement, cheating, pregnancy, complicity—and the ways in which these secrets shape the lives of the next generation. The characters are forced to confront the legacies of their parents, deciding whether to repeat their mistakes or forge a new path. The resolution hinges on the willingness to break the cycle of shame and to choose forgiveness over retribution.
Analysis
Brigid Kemmerer's Call It What You Want is a nuanced exploration of shame, forgiveness, and the complexity of moral choices in the aftermath of public scandal. Through the intertwined stories of Rob and Maegan, the novel examines how a single mistake—or the mistakes of those we love—can upend lives, isolate individuals, and force a reckoning with identity and integrity. The dual narration allows for a deep psychological portrait of two teens struggling to define themselves outside the shadows of their families' failures. The book's greatest strength lies in its refusal to offer easy answers: right and wrong are rarely clear, and acts of kindness can be tainted by guilt or self-interest. Yet, the story ultimately affirms the possibility of redemption—not through grand gestures, but through small acts of honesty, compassion, and the courage to trust again. Kemmerer suggests that while we cannot undo the past, we can choose how we move forward, and that forgiveness—of ourselves and others—is the first step toward healing. The novel is a powerful reminder that everyone is more than the sum of their worst moments, and that hope can be found even in the most broken places.
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