The chapter shifts to Celie’s perspective during a school trip bus ride. Celie watches Meena and the former friend group giggle over a phone and ignore her, confirming weeks of silent ostracism since she skipped the park the night her grandfather arrived. Messages in their group chat have died, her private check-in with Meena went nowhere, and in lessons she sits alone, fearful of drawing attention.

At the zoo, Celie eats alone and hides in the bathroom until Miss Baker checks on her, but she denies any problem. She recalls how her group gradually exiled Charlotte Gooding over a small quirk, realizing a similar invisible process is isolating her now. Anxiety and nausea build as the coach ride continues and screen use worsens her motion sickness.

As the nausea peaks, Martin O’Malley quietly offers a paper bag and tissues. Celie vomits discreetly, but the smell spreads, prompting loud reactions from classmates. Martin blocks others’ view and later disposes of the bag, but Celie leaves the bus last, devastated, knowing the story will circulate.

Back home, Gene enters Celie’s room without knocking and tries to engage. When Celie blurts that the girls are no longer her friends, Gene acknowledges his past absence but persists, inviting her out for a walk and snacks. Reluctantly, Celie agrees.

They travel to Soho, where Gene chats to strangers and is recognized from his old role in Star Squadron Zero, posing happily for photos. He leads Celie through pubs, coffee shops, Chinatown, and theaters, riffing on his past and jokingly dragging her into a leather sex shop, where his deadpan banter makes Celie laugh.

They share pastries and strong coffee, street-hatch noodles, and Gene shows a blurred “Fancy” tattoo he once got for Francesca after a mishearing. He advises her not to date actors and relives memories, buoyed by intermittent public recognition that amuses Celie.

They return after 8 p.m., prompting Lila’s panic and Bill’s anger over missed calls and missed dinner. Celie sports fresh ink up her forearm, and Lila and Bill assume she got a real tattoo. Gene tells them to blame him, but upstairs Celie reveals to Violet that the tattoo is temporary—washable ink gifted by a tattooist who remembered Gene. Downstairs, the adults calm as Gene explains, and Violet runs off delighted to draw on herself.

The evening, capped by the prank’s reveal, becomes Celie’s first genuine laughter in weeks, easing her isolation and hinting at a tentative, uplifting connection with Gene despite the household tensions.