Addie manages the classroom portions of her first day back at school because she can sit quietly and avoid attention, but lunch exposes how completely she has been isolated. Carrying her tray through the cafeteria, she realizes nobody wants to sit with her, and even students she once knew avoid eye contact. She notices Hudson sitting with Kenzie, absorbed in her and no longer acting like Addie exists.

When Ella Curtis calls Addie over, Addie feels relieved just to be invited anywhere and sits down with her. The conversation begins awkwardly but harmlessly, with Ella openly pointing out that nobody else wanted Addie at their table. As they talk, Addie reflects on her long friendship with Hudson, how they bonded as outcasts in childhood, and how his loyalty once made school easier for her.

The conversation shifts from Hudson and Kenzie to classes and teachers, and Ella casually comments on the Bennetts before steering the discussion toward Arthur Tuttle. Ella jokes about Addie preferring someone like Mr. Tuttle and then directly presses Addie for details about what it was like to be with him. Addie denies that anything happened, but Ella makes it clear she assumes the rumor is true and wants the story for gossip.

Addie realizes Ella never intended to be kind or become friends with her; Ella only wanted access to scandal. Hurt and humiliated, Addie abandons her mostly untouched lunch, throws away her tray, and leaves the table while Ella giggles. As Addie walks out, she sees that Hudson watched the exchange but still looks away instead of helping her.

That final rejection deepens Addie’s belief that Hudson has chosen never to speak to her again and that this estrangement is tied to how everything with Mr. Tuttle spiraled. Overwhelmed and angry, Addie leaves the cafeteria and spends the rest of the lunch period sitting alone in the library, waiting for sixth period.