One of Us Is Next

Knox begins the novel with low self-confidence and a desire to be manly, like his dad. He harbors resentment toward his dad for never offering him a place in the family construction company. In an act of defiance, Knox continually cuts through an abandoned construction site between Bayview mall and the bus stop his father warns him against using. Knox desires for his dad to acknowledge him and his accomplishments, yet he feels constantly neglected. Knox’s insecurities emerge when he compares his dad to the main character from the videogame Bounty Wars saying that “He looks a lot more like Dax Reaper than I do” (56). Knox’s insecurities are further highlighted in the Truth or Dare game, where he is publicly emasculated for not sleeping with Maeve. Knox is bullied at school in ways that further this emasculation, Sean Murdock and Brandon Weber tape limp noodles and Viagra to his locker. Knock skips school and quits the play to avoid further humiliation. He thinks, “Bayview High is ruthless. One incident is all it takes to define you for the rest of your life, and I just found mine” (113). Knox ends his friendship with Maeve as he struggles to deal with the reveal of one of the most embarrassing moments of his life.

Knox’s reclaiming of self-confidence and reassurance—not masculine traits—parallels the two confrontations with his father. While still dealing with the aftermath of bullying and embarrassment, Knox aggressively confronts his dad, to no avail. Knox feels as though he cannot be vulnerable with his dad and keeps the Truth or Dare game a secret. Knox’s aggressive one-liners are met with concrete answers, demonstrating his frustration and anger compared to his father’s calm authority. His father replies, “You. Were. Trespassing,” reminding Knox that his actions were dangerous (193). The construction site becomes a dangerous coping mechanism that could have severely injured or killed him. Knox faults himself for lacking inherently masculine traits, and he searches for a chance to prove himself in the wrong places. By the end of the novel, Knox becomes the hero. He bravely moves a bomb to a safe location, saving everyone inside Ashton and Eli’s rehearsal dinner. Only once Knox realizes that his self-image should come from within and that traits such as bravery and strength are not gender-specific, does his dad reveal that he is proud of him, validating him.

Phoebe is shaped by the loss of her father. She routinely states that her family does not make sense without him and, further, that she wouldn’t be such a bad person if he was still alive. Phoebe has been punishing herself ever since she slept with Derek, her sister’s ex-boyfriend. Phoebe states that directly after that encounter, she ran straight into the arms of Brandon Weber. After it is revealed that she slept with Derek, Phoebe decides that she cannot keep punishing herself over one mistake. Her feelings culminate into her refusal of Brandon, who assaults her. After Phoebe kicks Brandon out of the house, she allows herself to cry, truly feeling the grief that has been lying dormant since her dad’s passing. Phoebe begins to traverse societal norms as she seems “one of those girls who flits easily between Bayview High social groups, like the invisible boundaries that keep most of us apart don’t apply to her” to Knox (37). Phoebe’s understanding of social hierarchies is coupled with her evolving relationship with Knox. Phoebe feels as though she should provide some refuge for Knox once he becomes the next target, since she too was bullied because of the Truth or Dare game. Though she flows between social groups, Phoebe feels the pressure to conform and is embarrassed when she is seen in public with Knox.

By the end of the novel, Phoebe realizes she deserves a partner who respects her. This realization shows, not only Phoebe’s belief that social norms are made to be challenged but also that she has gained respect for herself. She thinks, “maybe Future Phoebe, who could appreciate someone like Knox, isn’t as far away as I thought” (273). Phoebe learns the value of self-worth and of forgiving oneself.

Emma is the older sister of Phoebe and Owen and shares their bright orange hair. Emma suffers from the loss of her dad at a young age, burying herself in academics and neglecting her younger siblings. This neglect leaves Phoebe desiring a genuine relationship with Emma, lashing out and hurting her to gain attention. Emma represents somewhat of a character foil to Phoebe. She doesn’t sleep around, and she has only had one boyfriend, Derek. Emma is described as studious and a loner, only spending time with her friend Gillian.

Upon learning that Brandon Weber jammed the forklift that later took her dad’s life, Emma begins to plot her revenge. It is revealed that she is user BayView2020, who initially contacts Darkestmind on the Vengeance Is Mine subforum. Angry at Phoebe for sleeping with Derek, Emma uses her sister’s name as an alias. Yet, after witnessing the effects of revealing Phoebe’s secret, she tells Jared to stop the Truth or Dare game and ceases all contact with him. Learning of Brandon Weber’s subsequent death from the game, Emma falls into a deep depression and begins to struggle with alcohol addiction. She eventually regains control of her emotions and takes responsibility for her actions. The two sisters enjoy a reconciliation at the end of the novel, when the two band together to protect Owen. This shift is evident in Emma when “Emma glances down, notices the undone button on her oxford shirt, and neatly fastens it” (285). Emma regains her confidence and protects her family from further division.