Breathing Underwater

Nick is addicted to Caitlyn, seeing her as both a drug and dealer in their intense relationship. They spent most of their time together, with Nick driving her to and from school and calling her...

Nick inflicts both physical and verbal abuse on Caitlyn. Physically, he hits her, which leads to legal consequences and mandatory anger management classes. Verbally, he uses passive-aggressive...

Nick means that he expressed emotions about his friendship with Tom in the poem that he hadn't realized he felt. Consider the line: “I stand alone, drenched in sweat and untold secrets; But slapping...

When Nick slapped Caitlyn, she was initially pleading with him, saying "Please, Nick . . . I . . . Mrs. Reyes said . . . and Tom and Liana. I thought you'd like it." After the slap, which caused her...

After Nick details his dad’s Mustang in Breathing Underwater, his dad subjects him to abuse for supposedly scratching it.

In Alex Flinn's novel, Nick's journal serves as a significant symbol. It represents his journey of self-discovery and personal growth. Mandated by a judge, Nick must write about his relationship with...

In Mario's family violence class, Tiny, also known as Tyrone, exhibits a controlling and abusive attitude similar to Nick's. When Mario asks if anyone tries to isolate their girlfriends from friends,...

In Breathing Underwater, Nick hits Dirk for his behavior toward Caitlin at the party. He punches him on the jaw right after he sees Dirk touching Caitlin's waist.

Tom refuses to give Nick a second chance because he is appalled by Nick's violent behavior towards his girlfriend, Caitlin. Despite their long friendship, Tom cannot reconcile Nick's actions with the...

Nick becomes angry with Leo due to Leo's abusive behavior towards his girlfriend Neysa at a carnival. Witnessing Leo's actions, Nick realizes that Leo's behavior mirrors how he used to treat Caitlyn....

Nick's preferred "drug" is metaphorically Caitlyn, as he describes her as both his "dealer" and "drug of choice" in Breathing Underwater. His infatuation with her mirrors addiction, starting with...

Nick titles his January 10th entry "In my worst nightmares" because he is court-mandated to attend a Family Violence Class after assaulting his girlfriend, Caitlyn. He perceives this as a nightmare...

Nick asks Caitlin to avoid coming over to his house after he has been beaten by his father. He doesn't want her to see his facial injuries or attend the game without him. This reflects his insecurity...

The story begins at the Justice Building in Miami, where Nick is in court for hitting his girlfriend, Caitlyn, who seeks a restraining order against him. Judge Lehman grants the order, prohibiting...

When Nick writes in his journal that Caitlin is his "drug of choice," he means that he always wants to be around her, that he can't get enough of her, and that he's willing to do anything he has to...

At Leo’s house, Nick says that he and Leo are alike because neither of them tries to control their girlfriends. What they’re both doing is looking out for their relationships.