In early December, Chance finds a peculiar envelope in the rocks. In the corner, there’s a series of numbers. The 7s have a line in the middle, and the 1s have loops. As a group of women joggers approaches, Chance stuffs the envelope in the backpack.

He goes to the library and researches salmon, seals, dams, and pollution. He writes for 20 minutes, but the final product sounds like a school report, not a captivating article. He rips it up and throws it away.

Consumed by the envelope, Chance returns to the utility room to inspect it, but the envelope is gone. Outside, a black Mercedes speeds by him. Chance tells himself it was likely just a teen valet working for an expensive restaurant—no big deal.

At the next newspaper meeting, only Chance shows up, so Melissa stresses. Chance tells her about his uninspiring writing. Melissa says Annie has not written anything, while Natasha is too busy studying for the SAT to write. Only Thomas has submitted writing, and his article is about Lincoln High sports. Melissa thought the newspaper could help her get into Stanford, but it looks like it won’t happen.

Chance and Melissa go for a walk, and Chance puts his arm around her as they admire the boats from a distance.