Every Summer After

The friendship bracelet that Percy makes for Sam is an important recurring symbol of connection. Sam asks her to make one for him the first time that they meet and requests one in the same colors as hers. This points to Sam and Percy’s immediate connection and his easy acceptance of her. Sam’s offer of friendship and request for a bracelet contrasts with Delilah’s destruction of her friendship bracelet and ostracization of Percy.

Sam and Percy never take off their bracelets, symbolizing their lasting friendship. The woven friendship bracelet is contrasted with the silver bracelet that Mason gifts Percy, which she begins to wear once they make their relationship official. The showiness of the silver bracelet reflects the superficial nature of Percy and Mason’s relationship: She is largely dating him to make Sam jealous.

Years later, Sam gives Percy the friendship bracelet as a consolation prize for her attempt to swim across the lake. Sam gifting her the bracelet despite her being unable to complete the swim symbolizes his willingness to try again at their relationship despite the past hurt. The bracelet represents the inextricable link of Sam and Percy’s friendship and romantic love, pointing to the theme of