Ezra begins this chapter by explaining how he started dating Charlotte Hyde in their junior year. Ezra and members of the tennis and water polo teams were at a party at Laguna Beach, grilling hot dogs, drinking beer, playing volleyball, and enjoying the summer. Charlotte and Jill were there, looking at magazines and sunbathing. Charlotte started flirting with Ezra and suggested they go for a walk down the beach. Charlotte told him they were “destined to date each other. The most popular girl in the junior class and the most popular guy” (77), and so they did, dating for more than eight months. Looking back Ezra wonders whether things would be different now if he had not been swayed by flattery on the beach that day.

It is Friday and Luke, Phoebe, and Austin are already at the break table when Ezra arrives. Luke mentions that Jimmy is having a “kegger” that night, and Phoebe jokes, “Ezra, you’re taking me to Jimmy’s party, right?” and laughing because the party is for Tier One people only (80). Toby, Sam, and Cassidy join the table, and the friendly banter continues until the bell rings and everyone drifts off to their classes.