Willowdean spends time with Mitch. They eat lunch together, play video games, and Will eats dinner at Mitch’s house. Mitch tells Willowdean that his mom wants him to ask Will to Homecoming. Mitch is telling Willowdean how he doesn’t think he can leave town after high school and leave his mom when Will notices Tim walking past them. Will begs Tim to help her win back Ellen’s friendship. Tim says he will try but that he doesn’t think he will be able to do anything to change El’s mind. Then he tells Will that he really hates Callie.

One night at the Chili Bowl, Willowdean’s former boss, Ron, comes to ask Will to come back and work for him: “I may be old, but I’m not dumb. I don’t know what happened, but whatever it was, I promise the boys will be on their best behavior” (218). Willowdean thinks about how nice Ron has been to her and tells him that she will think about it. Thinking about it, Will knows that she made more money at Harpy’s. Knowing that Bo is now with Bekah, she goes to Harpy’s after her shift at the Chili Bowl is over and asks Ron for a raise and for days off in the summer (for the pageant).