"So what goes on at these parties?" Rodney asked as he and Ralph walked to school.
"I've never been but from what I hear a lot of drinking and debauchery," Ralph said. "I have a feeling I would be okay with it if I would be invited."
"Probably. Laurie is a smart girl and I don't think she'll do anything that she doesn't want to do. You should just ask her out--that's probably why she's going to the party," Rodney explained.
"You think she's not going to go?" Ralph asked.
"That's what I think. Don't hold me to that," Rodney chuckled. "I have bigger problems right now with Cat. I apparently have no direction in life."
"Yeah, I heard her complaining about that," Ralph said. "At some point she thinks everyone has no direction in life."
"It's not that I have no direction, I just don't know what to do, you know?"
"I've tried explaining it to her but she doesn't understand how anyone can't know what they want to do with their life."
"Well, she's at least got me thinking so I guess that's a step in the right direction," Rodney shrugged.
Back at the Barton house, Adam and Holly were in her room, on her bed, making out. "I am so glad you convinced me to be late for school," Holly purred as she ran her hands through Adam's hair.
"I figured it wouldn't take much convincing," he smiled.
"Well, I have a surprise for you," Holly smiled and bit her lip as she pushed Adam off of her. She got out of bed and left the room.
Adam quickly grabbed his backpack and pulled out a video camera. He placed it on a bookshelf and tried to disguise it with books and a stuffed animal. He then made sure the camera was pointed at the bed and turned it on.
Holly returned to the room dressed in only a bra and panties. She walked over to Adam and hugged him. They began making out and Holly began taking off his clothes.
"The Video"
"You will be partnered up and you and your partner will decide on a topic and write about it. A six-page sourced report about just about anything you want," said the teacher. "The topic you pick yourself but I will pick your partner."
Some of the class groaned.
The teacher began pairing off names. Cassandra turned around and began talking to Jodie. "Great. What if my partner wants to do some stupid topic? Like comic books?" she asked.
"I'm sure it will be fine," Jodie sighed.
"Rodney Barton," the teacher said, "and Cassandra Jurgens."
Cassandra smiled big. "Yay," she squealed quietly.
After class, Cassandra caught up with Rodney. "So we're partners," she said. "Do you have a topic thought up?"
"There are a few things I'd like to write about. How about you come over after school and we can narrow it down," Rodney said.
"What about Cat?" she asked, mainly just wondering what going on between them.
"She's slightly mad at me so she won't be coming by. Also, my Dad is working late and Holly will be with Adam so we'll have the house to ourselves," Rodney revealed.
"Great. I'll be over about four then," Cassandra smiled.
"Okay, see you then," Rodney said and turned down another hallway.
Cassandra joined back up with Jodie. "Rodney and I will be all alone this evening to work on our topic."
"I got stuck with Taylor Lutbauer. She wants to do a topic on Miley Cyrus. I am not looking forward to this," Jodie said.
Elsewhere, Adam and his friends had taken a TV from the audio/video room and wheeled it into the women's studies classroom, which was only used once a week. The five of them gathered around and Adam hooked the camera up to the TV. He pressed play. He and his friends watched as Holly walked in in her underwear and as she slowly undressed Adam. The guys began congratulating him when Adam and Holly began making love and cheered when they heard Holly gasp and moan and saw Adam orgasm.
"That's number nine, isn't it?" asked Chris.
"Yep," Adam answered. "There's just something about freshmen."
"I'm just shocked that you've been able to videotape all of your freshmen encounters," another friend said.
"They're all pretty trusting," Adam said. "But I believe there's the little matter of some money...?"
"Yeah," Chris began. "It's in my locker. Let's go get it."
The five of them unhooked the camera and went down to the lockers. Chris opened his locker and gave Adam the fifty dollars.
"Ah, well-earned money," Adam breathed and he tucked it into his pocket. "I just can't believe how easily she gave it up. And Holly initiated it! I just suggested she go to school late," Adam began laughing. "Mark my words, Holly Barton is two guys away from being a slut."
"What?" said a girl's voice behind them.
They all looked and saw Holly. "Holly? What are you doing here?"
"I was just going to my locker to get a notebook. What are you doing?"
"Chris was just giving me some money he owed me," Adam said.
"Mm-hmm. And I'm two guys away from being a slut?"
Adam was quiet.
"What are you doing with that videocamera?" she pointed.
"Uh, we're doing a video yearbook," Adam lied.
"Oh, that's cool," Holly took the camera and turned it on and began watching it, seeing her and Adam making love. "You videotaped us?"
Adam stayed silent.
Holly ejected the tape and took it but gave the camera back. "I can't believe you did this. I trusted you and cared for you which is why I allowed you to make love to me. Don't talk to me anymore. We're through!"
Holly stormed off. Adam remained silent.
Ralph, Laurie and Lillian walked to the grocery store. Ralph and Laurie had remained silent as Lillian dominated the conversation, talking about her day.
"I thought it'd be more difficult to adjust to normal life after being released from the hospital but so far everything's been about the same," Lillian said. "Everything is highly regimented, the teachers can be slightly abusive and I'm not allowed to have pointy things."
"Laurie, you cannot go to..." Ralph paused and looked at Lillian. "What?"
"I like pointy things," Lillian shrugged.
"Anyway, Laurie, you cannot go to Chris' party," Ralph finished.
"Why not? Have a few drinks, meet a few people. It'll be a good time," Laurie said. "I'd bring you along but we both know you won't get in."
"Where is this party?" Ralph asked.
"A beach house on Randall Point," Laurie said. "Look, I promise to leave or call someone if things get out of hand but I'm sure that's not going to happen," Laurie rolled her eyes and giggled slightly.
"Okay but I'm gonna hold you to that. I don't want anything to happen to you," Ralph said and he turned and went into the grocery store.
Lillian smiled big and looked at Laurie. "He lo-o-o-o-oves you," she croaked.
Next:
Rodney and Cassandra get closer while doing their paper and Laurie is saved by Ralph at the party.