Addie spends the end of the school day miserably stuck in her drying gym clothes. Even after showering, the clothes smell bad and feel stiff, and Addie becomes convinced everyone notices. Her wet clothes also soak her backpack, and her attempt to wring them out in the bathroom only makes her T-shirt wetter and leaves her rushing late to last period.

Addie arrives at Mr. Bennett's classroom just as the bell rings and is mortified that he sees her in such a disheveled state. Nate Bennett notices her distress and asks if she is okay. When Addie insists she is fine, Nate decides not to press her in front of the class.

Instead, Nate quietly writes her a note and tells her to go home early, skip his class, and relax because there will be no homework. His discreet kindness spares Addie further embarrassment and reinforces how strongly she responds to his attention. Addie accepts the note, grateful and flustered, especially when he winks at her.

Addie leaves school early and rides her bike home, intending to change out of her filthy clothes. But she does not go straight home. Because she previously looked up Kenzie Montgomery's address in the student directory after "borrowing" Kenzie's house keys, Addie knows exactly where Kenzie lives, and on this day she decides to stop and look again.