CH 01: The Ocean

## Appearances

### Characters

Ana SophíaMiggyMotherEnzo DeAndreEmma AllenJulie WilsonHunter DuboisSarah BernardoBrett WoodNiko ArfaDouglas Smith

## Background

### Setting

San Francisco, California

**The Ocean** is the opening chapter to ***Darlin'***. The Ocean is the first chapter of *Phase I*, introducing 11 of the 24 characters involved in the story. It is rated the best chapter from ***Darlin'*** for its mix of content read that ranged from comedy, drama & romance. The chapter's title is inspired by Mike Perry's 2016 song release, **The Ocean**.

## Summary

### **Morning Routine**

Ana Sophía wakes up from a nightmare, slowly calming herself and getting up for the day. She comes across a box of donuts on the kitchen table with a note beside it, gifted by Emma. Ana Sophía takes a donuts and heads upstairs to shower, briefly recounting the first ever encounter from freshman orientation that made her and Emma best friends. She also sings along to an unreleased song (based on book's time setting) by her favorite unnamed singer, Harry Styles. After showering, Ana Sophía and her mother head out to the car, making their way to Ana Sophía's high school. Upon drop off, she meets up with Emma and her other best friend, Julie.

Ana Sophía encounters her first problem as she pulls out her breakfast before class starts. Describing it as a small, typical Brazilian breakfast, her high school bully Sarah comes over to her desk where Ana Sophía is seated and begins shaming her. Defended across the classroom by high school friend, Enzo, Ana Sophía shows appreciation and later walks home with him. The pair arrive at Ana Sophía's home, allowing Enzo to check out the family photos hanging in Ana Sophía's living room wall. A few short minutes later, Enzo is picked up by his soccer teammates. He heads to his sports game and Ana Sophía heads to her bedroom, falling asleep.

Both Ana Sophía & Enzo arrive at Ana Sophía's house, spending a brief moment there that allows Enzo to look around at the living room pictures of Ana Sophía from her time in Brazil. Enzo's friends later pick him up to head to their soccer game and Ana Sophía heads to her bedroom, falling asleep.

### **Night Gala**

Around 09:00pm, Ana Sophía wakes up amidst her dark bedroom and checks the time. She hears noise downstairs and remembers she has time to get ready. While trying to sneak into the bedroom, she is startled by Enzo. She steps inside the bathroom and puts on a dress.Moments later, Enzo escorts her down the stairs and introduces her. Ana Sophía labels the ambient overwhelming, given the unexpected number of guests present. Enzo gives a motivational speech to give his team a boost in confidence after their opening league game win.

### **New Friends**

Once the gala returns to socializing in groups, Ana Sophía & Emma walk around and eventually join a group of guys. Ana Sophía is introduced to Brett, who offers her a drink of whiskey. Another guy offers pizza and meets Ana Sophía, introducing himself as Hunter. He helps her understand who is part of the guy group, pointing out Niko & Douglas amongst the guests. The chapter ends with Miggy asking out Ana Sophía as the slow-dance portion of the night kicks off, swaying back and forth as Ana Sophía confesses her positive emotions with tears for the ambient in the house and the feeling of specialty she has felt up to that moment.

## Rating

### **Review**

The Ocean received a median rating of **10/10** amongst the ***Darlin' beta readers***, ranking a perfect score and the highest amongst all ***Darlin'*** chapters. Its diversity in combining a comedic with dramatic read in the opening phase with a romance inclusion in the second half pushed it for the favorite chapter. The narration of Ana Sophía while guiding the reader on her every day routine without giving backstory analysis on her own past was highlighted as a strong factor for being mysterious and creative, with many citing the potential for the reader to resonate in her shoes and make the reader feel like they are the main character.