As Chess Nationals approach, Kendi finds that the discipline and focus she once relied on are no longer enough. Academic demands remain high, family expectations are unrelenting, and emotionally, nothing feels settled. The balance she worked so hard to maintain begins to falter.Romantic tensions reach a turning point when unresolved feelings surface at the worst possible time. Leo's presence continues to stir emotions Kendi can't ignore, while Alex-her closest friend-forces her to confront truths she wasn't prepared to face. What once felt manageable now collides all at once, leaving little room for clarity.Inside Kendi's head, Kate-her ever-critical inner voice-offers constant commentary, quick to point out missteps and even quicker to question Kendi's priorities. Kate's logic is sharp, but the emotional weight of the moment resists easy solutions.A family trip meant to provide a pause from the chaos instead brings unexpected revelations, intensifying the strain Kendi is already carrying. As personal ambition and cultural expectation intersect, she must reckon with what she wants, what she owes, and how much pressure she can carry before something gives.With Chess Nationals looming and her focus fractured, Kendi faces a challenge unlike any before. This time, the struggle isn't only about the opponent across the board-it's about navigating relationships, responsibility, and self-trust when everything seems to demand a move at once.Continuing The Kendi Chronicles, this contemporary young adult novel blends humor, emotional insight, and cultural depth in a story about choice, commitment, and learning how to steady yourself when life refuses to slow down.