The awkward silence entered the room again for what seemed like forever. "We just keep our relationship private" Stephen said continuing with his lie. "No, we aren't together! Nothing is going on!" Nina yelled, raising her voice. Nina got up from your seat and walked out, Stephen followed her out "I'm sorry, ok!" Stephen called out "he's just with you all the time" Stephen continued lowering his voice.
Nina exhaled and walked back towards Stephen. "The reason why I brought him here because Leo thinks you're an obsessive manipulator and I wanted to prove him wrong but now I see he might be right" Nina explained to Stephen. Stephen glanced at the ground as he tried to come up with a response "i know I've been a little clingy..I'm sorry but I can't be anymore" Stephen said as his voice began to heighten and crack.
Nina watched as water began to collect at the bottom lid of his eyes. "Stephen, maybe it's best we keep our distance" Nina suggested "oh..ok that's fine" Stephen's voice high pitched, clearly on the verge of crying. Nina sigh, leaving Stephen alone with his thoughts and walked back inside the building. The group continued studying in silence.
Later in the day, Eli and Jeremiah were going out to eat. They ordered their food and started to eat but Jeremiah noticed Eli wasn't eating much. "How come you're not eating?" Jere asked, looking at her full plate
Eli looked at her plate then at the table, avoiding eye contact with Jere. "Uh I'm just not hungry..I'll eat later" Eli said covering her stomach with her crossed arms.
Jeremiah looked at Eli and saw she had an uneasy look on her face as if something was bothering her. "Are you sure?" Jere asked, concerned. Eli didn't say anything she just nodded still with that uneasy look on her face. Jeremiah decided to trust her answer and continue on with their date.
Later that night, everyone got ready for the party. The guys already at the party location, helping set up and the girls getting dressed. Eli went to Nina and Emily's to borrow a dress from Nina. Nina was in the mirror, trying on dresses and Emily was in the shower. "I forgot my earrings in Carine's dorm" Nina said as quickly rushed out leaving alone Eli to change.
Minutes later, Nina walked in on Eli "what are you doing?" Nina asked, seeing Eli duck taping her stomach. "N-Nothing I just..want to fit into this dress" Eli stammered on her words "Eli..it's ok" Nina reassuring Eli, realizing what was going on "No! It's fine I-I just want to look good" Eli said defensively. Eli began to sob in Nina's arms "you can't tell anyone! You can't tell Jeremiah!" Eli cried "Eli..I cant..you have to tell them" Nina knew what the best thing was tell the truth but wanted to respect Eli's choice.
"It's ok to want to be perfect but not eating, taping your body is unhealthy Eli you're perfect and I'm sure Jere will understand and accept you" Nina said comforting Eli in her eating disorder. Meanwhile, Carine and Josie were discussing their relationships "so how are things with cam? He seems so happy with you" Carine said with a smile. "Everything is amazing, he's amazing!" Josie said as she smiled and blushed "what about you? What's going on with Hardin" Josie asked, completely invested "it's been good, really good just sometimes he doesn't open up to me. I know he has family issues but I'm his girlfriend I should know stuff" Carine explained.
Josie's response was cut short by Hardin walking in, giving an announcement. "So sorry to interrupt but the party has officially started..and it's already late so let's get moving" Hardin announced. Hardin grabbed Carine over his shoulders and carried her to the car. All three of them made it to the party it was at the swimming hole hidden off campus, there were a good amount of people, good music and most people were dancing or too drunk to function.
The crew separated to do their own thing. Nina watching Leo DJ, Dave teaching Luna the guitar, Carine, Eli, Jeremiah and Hardin dancing and Josie and Cam talking as they watch everyone. Dave showed Luna how to play the cords, Luna watching his fingers strum and pull the steel strings on the guitar. "So, yeah that's basically it but with enough practice you'll be as good as me" Dave encouraged "I guess you're not a dork after all" Luna smiled at him, chuckling softly. "Well I kinda still am even my mom is more popular than me which is so pathetic" Dave said rambling on.
