One

Summary

• The narrator discusses their friendship with Athena Liu, a highly successful writer who has just secured a TV deal with Netflix. Despite her professional success, Athena has few friends.
• Athena has achieved significant literary recognition at a young age, including a multi-book deal from a major publishing house, numerous awards, and prestigious residencies, distinguish herself from her peers.
• The narrator used to believe that Athena was simply aloof due to her success, but now they wonder whether people find her as unbearable as they do.
• The story provides a backstory for their friendship. They first met during their freshman year at Yale, where they both studied writing and lived on the same floor. After their graduation, however, their careers took different trajectories.
• While the narrator has struggled with their writing career and a disappointing book deal, Athena has seen nothing but success. Her debut novel was a critical success, sold foreign rights in thirty different territories, dominated bestseller lists, and earned multiple award nominations, of which she won two.
• The narrator admits the Athena is talented, but they believe her success is also largely due to her personal charm and appeal. Athena's "cool" factor and her international and "diverse" background make her a favorite in the publishing industry.
• Athena is always inviting the narrator out for social activities and seems to enjoy their company in spite of their career differences. The narrator suspects it's because they pose no professional threat to Athena.
• The narrator describes feelings of jealousy and fear towards Athena's success and the sense of inadequacy it produces in them. While jealousy is often perceived as a petty emotion, the narrator argues that for writers, it's often a source of self-doubt and fear of failure.
• Athena invites the narrator to her apartment after a night out. She shows them a draft of her latest novel, which the narrator is impressed by even while drunk. Athena appears anxious for their approval, but they opt for ambivalence out of pettiness.
• Despite her apparent sophistication, when drunk, Athena is shown to be banal, even ordinary. The chapter ends with the narrator musing about the deceptive nature of Athena's command over the public's fascination.

• The chapter revolves around the narrator spending fun time with her friend Athena in Athena's house. They are both reminiscing about their pasts and sharing personal stories.
• While they are caught up in laughter and enjoyment, the narrator spills whiskey on Athena's hardwood floor. Athena goes to the kitchen to get a napkin and they continue their bonding.
• Soon, they start making pancakes from scratch, adding pandan extract. They playfully challenge each other in a pancake-eating contest.
• This fun-filled contest takes a serious turn when Athena starts choking on a pancake. The narrator tries to help by performing the Heimlich maneuver but it is unsuccessful.
• The narrator calls 911 for emergency help but struggles to provide precise location details. Athena collapses, still choking and eventually unconscious.
• An ambulance arrives too late and Athena is pronounced dead due to choking. The event leaves the narrator shocked and distressed.
• The narrator spends the rest of the night documenting the incident with the EMTs. She even suspects that she might be charged with Athena's murder, however, this doesn't happen given the available evidence.
• Finally, the narrator returns home. She cries out of grief and exhaustion before falling asleep. Athena's manuscript remains unattended in her bag.