The interluding italicized section prior to Chapter 3 describes a short conversation between Jenny and another girl, who is asking how Jenny got the invite to the party. Jenny answers that it was Brandon Exley while marveling at the “airy fabric” (28) of the borrowed dress she is wearing.

Chapter 3 opens on Haley discovering upperclassmen in her room: women she has seen before but “not in her room” (29). Carrie and her friend Gail are sitting with Jenny and comforting her. Awkwardly, Haley asks if things are okay and then gets her notebook and leaves the room again. After leaving, Haley wonders about what is going on and why “Jenny-Mouse [is] more furtive than ever” (31). Haley decides to ignore the situation and focus on her own difficulties with her soccer teammates, especially Madison, who are upset because Haley has recently found out that not only is she benched, but she will never be able to play soccer again given the results of her impact test.

Haley’s friendship with Madison began because they were both the strongest freshmen on the soccer team. During early hazing-like activities, the two girls quickly rose to the top and received praise from veteran players.