Strangers in a Lab

Hildy and Paul, two high school seniors with little in common, are thrown together in a university psychology lab. They've volunteered for a study that promises to reveal whether intimacy can be manufactured by answering 36 personal questions. Both are strangers, not just to each other, but also to the idea of opening up to someone new. The sterile lab setting amplifies their discomfort, but curiosity and a hint of desperation—each for their own reasons—keep them in their seats. The experiment is simple: answer the questions honestly, and see what happens. Neither expects much, but both sense that this encounter could be more than just a social experiment.

The Awkward First Question

The first few questions are light, almost trivial, and both teens respond with humor and sarcasm. Hildy, eager to please and fill silences, overcompensates with jokes, while Paul, more reserved and guarded, keeps his answers short. The awkwardness is palpable, but the forced proximity and the structure of the experiment push them to keep going. Each is acutely aware of the other's presence, and the tension between wanting to connect and fearing vulnerability is clear. The questions, though simple, begin to chip away at their defenses.

Secrets Behind the Facade

As the questions grow more probing, the differences between Hildy and Paul become apparent. Hildy's bubbly exterior hides deep insecurities, while Paul's aloofness masks pain and regret. Their banter becomes more pointed, and misunderstandings arise. Both are playing roles—Hildy as the overachiever, Paul as the rebel—but the experiment's design makes it harder to maintain these facades. The questions force them to confront uncomfortable truths about themselves and each other.

Laughter and Deflection

When the questions touch on sensitive topics, both teens instinctively use humor to deflect. Laughter becomes a shield, protecting them from the vulnerability the experiment demands. Yet, in their shared amusement, a genuine connection begins to form. They start to see through each other's defenses, recognizing the pain and longing beneath the jokes. The laughter, once a barrier, becomes a bridge.

Walls Begin to Crumble

As the experiment progresses, Hildy and Paul let their guards down. The questions require honesty, and both find themselves sharing more than they intended. Small confessions—about fears, dreams, and disappointments—create moments of real intimacy. The lab, once cold and impersonal, feels warmer as their connection deepens. They begin to care about each other's answers, and the experiment shifts from an obligation to an opportunity.

Unexpected Vulnerabilities Shared

The questions reach a point where both must confront their most painful memories. Hildy reveals her struggles with self-worth and her family's recent upheaval. Paul, in turn, shares the story of his troubled past and the mistakes that haunt him. These admissions are raw and unfiltered, and both are surprised by the empathy they feel for each other. The experiment becomes a safe space for honesty, and their bond strengthens.

The Truth About Family

The conversation turns to family, and both teens reveal the complicated relationships that have shaped them. Hildy's family is fractured by divorce, and she feels pressure to be perfect. Paul's family is marked by absence and disappointment, fueling his cynicism. Through these stories, they begin to understand the roots of each other's behavior. The questions force them to see their parents—and themselves—in a new light.

Confessions and Consequences

As the experiment nears its end, the questions demand total honesty. Hildy and Paul confess things they've never told anyone else, risking judgment and rejection. The vulnerability is both terrifying and liberating. For a moment, the connection falters as they process each other's confessions. The consequences of honesty are real, and both must decide whether to accept or retreat from the intimacy they've created.

The Power of Empathy

Instead of pulling away, Hildy and Paul choose empathy. They listen without interrupting, offering support rather than criticism. The experiment's true purpose becomes clear: not to force romance, but to foster understanding. Both teens realize that empathy is more powerful than attraction, and that real connection requires seeing and accepting each other's flaws.

A Night of Honesty

The experiment extends into the night, and the questions become less important than the conversation itself. Hildy and Paul talk about their hopes for the future, their regrets, and the people they want to become. The lab fades into the background as they lose track of time. By the end of the night, they've shared more with each other than with anyone else in their lives.

Facing the Past

Both teens realize that to move forward, they must confront the pain of their pasts. Hildy acknowledges her need for approval, while Paul faces the consequences of his actions. They encourage each other to forgive themselves and to let go of the guilt and shame that have held them back. The experiment becomes a catalyst for personal growth.

The Final Question

The final question asks whether they feel a romantic connection. Both hesitate, unsure whether their bond is real or just a product of the experiment. The moment is charged with possibility and fear. They must decide whether to trust their feelings or dismiss them as artificial. The answer will determine the future of their relationship.

Hearts on the Line

Hildy and Paul choose to be honest, admitting their attraction and the depth of their connection. The risk is enormous, but both are willing to take it. The experiment has given them the courage to be vulnerable, and they decide to see where their relationship might go outside the lab. Their honesty is rewarded with hope.

The Choice to Trust

The decision to trust each other marks a turning point. Both teens recognize that trust is essential for any relationship, romantic or otherwise. They agree to support each other as they navigate the uncertainties ahead. The experiment has changed them, teaching them the value of openness and the importance of taking emotional risks.

New Beginnings, New Selves

As they leave the lab, Hildy and Paul are no longer strangers. They are changed—more honest, more empathetic, and more willing to embrace the unknown. The experiment has given them a glimpse of what's possible when people are willing to be vulnerable. Their story is just beginning, but both are hopeful for what comes next.

Characters

Hildy

Hildy is a high-achieving, people-pleasing teen who hides her insecurities behind humor and relentless optimism. She's struggling with her parents' divorce and the pressure to be perfect, which makes her desperate for approval and terrified of rejection. Her journey through the experiment forces her to confront her own vulnerabilities and to realize that true connection requires honesty, not perfection. Hildy's relationship with Paul challenges her to let go of her need to control how others see her, and by the end, she emerges more self-aware and willing to take emotional risks.

Paul

Paul is the opposite of Hildy: reserved, cynical, and carrying the weight of past mistakes. His family life is fractured, and he's used to being judged and misunderstood. The experiment is a chance for him to be seen for who he really is, rather than the troublemaker others assume him to be. Paul's initial reluctance gives way to vulnerability as he opens up to Hildy, and he discovers that empathy and understanding are possible, even for someone like him. His growth is marked by his willingness to trust and to hope for something better.

Dr. Rivera

Dr. Rivera is the psychologist overseeing the experiment. Though a minor character, her presence shapes the experience for Hildy and Paul. She sets the rules, provides the questions, and creates a safe environment for honesty. Her belief in the power of vulnerability and connection underpins the entire experiment, and her gentle encouragement helps both teens take emotional risks.

Hildy's Mother

Hildy's mother is a background presence, dealing with the fallout of divorce and trying to support her daughter. Her own struggles with self-worth and change mirror Hildy's, and their relationship is marked by both love and tension. Through the experiment, Hildy gains new insight into her mother's humanity and the challenges of adulthood.

Paul's Father

Paul's father is largely absent from his life, contributing to Paul's sense of abandonment and mistrust. His failures as a parent have left Paul wary of intimacy and quick to assume the worst in others. The experiment helps Paul begin to process these wounds and to imagine a different future for himself.

Hildy's Father

Hildy's father, though not a major presence, represents the pressures and expectations that Hildy feels. His emotional distance and focus on achievement contribute to Hildy's anxiety and her need to please. The experiment prompts Hildy to reconsider her relationship with him and to seek validation from within rather than from others.

Paul's Mother

Paul's mother is doing her best to hold the family together in difficult circumstances. Her love for Paul is clear, but she is often overwhelmed by her own struggles. Paul's relationship with her is complicated, marked by both affection and frustration. The experiment helps Paul appreciate her efforts and see her as a person, not just a parent.

Dr. Rivera's Assistant

The assistant helps run the experiment, providing logistical support and ensuring the rules are followed. Though largely silent, their presence is a reminder of the artificiality of the setting and the boundaries of the experiment.

Hildy's Best Friend

Hildy's best friend offers advice and support, helping Hildy process her feelings about the experiment and her growing connection with Paul. Their friendship provides a counterpoint to the intensity of the lab experience.

Paul's Friend

Paul's friend is skeptical of the experiment and protective of Paul. Their friendship is a reminder of the world outside the lab and the challenges Paul faces in trusting others.

Plot Devices

The 36 Questions

The experiment's 36 questions serve as the backbone of the story, providing a framework for Hildy and Paul's evolving relationship. Each question is designed to provoke honesty and vulnerability, forcing the characters to confront their fears and desires. The structure creates a sense of progression, with each answer building on the last, and the artificiality of the experiment heightens the tension between authenticity and performance.

Dual Narrative Perspective

The story alternates between Hildy and Paul's perspectives, allowing readers to see both sides of the conversation. This device highlights the misunderstandings and assumptions that can arise even in intimate settings, and it deepens the reader's empathy for both characters. The dual narrative also underscores the theme of seeing and being seen.

Forced Proximity

The lab setting forces Hildy and Paul to interact in a way they never would outside the experiment. The lack of distractions and the intensity of the questions create a pressure-cooker environment, accelerating the development of their relationship and making their emotional breakthroughs more dramatic.

Analysis

"36 Questions That Changed My Mind About You" is a contemporary meditation on the power of vulnerability and the human need for connection. Through the device of a psychological experiment, the novel explores how honesty, empathy, and trust can break down even the most entrenched defenses. The story challenges the idea that intimacy is purely organic, suggesting instead that it can be cultivated through intentional effort and openness. The characters' journeys reflect the universal struggle to be seen and accepted, and the novel ultimately argues that real connection requires courage—the courage to be honest, to listen, and to risk rejection. In a world where superficial interactions are the norm, the book offers a hopeful vision of what's possible when people are willing to go deeper.

Last updated: May 7, 2025