As I reach the house, I see Lauren sitting on the porch waiting for me. She stands up and smiles a little, but not her standard cheeky smile—a nervous one. Because I'm in a good mood from leaving Jonas', I approach her without a cold expression on my face. It wouldn't be fair for me to hold a grudge against her due to what happened with Milo—I came to her house, a complete mess, and nearly forced her to throw a party. I forgave her.

"Hi," she says, "uh, I've been texting you, but you haven't answered so I thought I'd come over and check on you. You seemed a...