Millie and Aimee drive to a house owned by one of Aimee’s relatives. Aimee offers to let Millie house-sit the place, adding that her relative may consider selling it as well. Millie is immediately enamored with it, and Aimee promises to learn more about possible terms.

As Millie starts taking care of the house, Aimee communicates an initial asking price of $102,000. Millie starts fixing up the house, letting her mother stay the next time she visits Fayetteville. She also spends more time hanging out with Colette and Ryland outside the dormitory. One day, Millie buries her edibles in the backyard of the house, feeling that they are “something she ha[s] to earn” (111).

Kennedy struggles to fit into campus life at the University of Arkansas. She spends much of her time alone inspecting various parts of her body and her belongings for grime. She observes how Tyler’s presence makes her feel insecure about herself.

One night, Kennedy overhears Millie, Ryland, and Colette talking about the residents in the adjacent room. She starts eavesdropping on them night after night and is pleased when the RAs start gossiping about Tyler and her love for dogs. Millie gets up to do her rounds and mentions that they are supposed to do a health and safety check the following Tuesday morning.