One of Us is Lying: Chapter 8 Summary & Analysis

Bronwyn, too, is approached after the service by a detective; her parents are with her, though, and do not allow her to answer any questions. Though Bronwyn is relieved that her parents were able to help her, she is embarrassed that they now know what she’s done—or at least the rumor about it. On the drive home from the service, Bronwyn’s mother angrily remarks how absurd it is that the officers think Bronwyn would hurt someone over a lie. Bronwyn speaks up and admits the post was not a lie—she confesses that she did cheat by stealing chemistry tests off her teacher’s Google Drive when she used a computer in the lab right after him, and then used them to get perfect scores in chemistry all of junior year.

Bronwyn’s parents are infuriated with her for cheating—and are especially concerned that Bronwyn now looks like she has a motive. She insists she didn’t do anything to Simon, but her mother says that if it comes out that Simon was telling the truth, things could get “very messy.” Bronwyn privately wonders why Simon wouldn’t have “pounced” on the information he had about her right away—and whether the information in the post about everyone else is true, too. As they pull into the driveway, Bronwyn’s parents ask her if there is anything else she hasn’t told them; Bronwyn says there isn’t, but this is also a lie.

The narrative switches to Nate’s perspective as he endures a tense ride home with Officer Lopez after the service. Nate is relieved that he cleared all of the drugs out of his house since he knew Lopez was stopping by; otherwise, the officers (who told him they had obtained a warrant to search his house) would be able to arrest him.

Officer Lopez now warns Nate that going forward, if he deals drugs in any way, shape, or form, she cannot help him. She tells him that out of the four suspects, Nate is the only one who is not “materially comfortable” and lucky enough to have the support of two present parents. She drops Nate off at home and tells him to call her if he needs anything during the week.

When Nate walks into the house, he realizes that his alcoholic father has vomited into the sink. He feels so sick of his terrible life that he “could kill somebody.” He feeds his lizard while he thinks about the police’s “interesting theory” about the group murder; he is grateful that the whole thing isn’t being pinned on just him, as he feels that Addy and Cooper would be all too happy to go along with using Nate as a scapegoat. Nate thinks, though, that Bronwyn would stick up for him.

Nate leaves the house and heads over to Bronwyn’s house, though he isn’t sure what he wants out of a visit there. Shortly after he arrives in the driveway, Bronwyn’s father comes outside and tells Nate to turn around and go home. Nate resignedly accepts that lines are being drawn—he is the outlier and the scapegoat, and there is nothing he can do about it. He backs his bike out of Bronwyn’s driveway and heads for home.