Meanwhile, Allie and Lynn arrive at Bonnie’s house

"You don't like me, do you?" Lynn asked as she drove towards Bonnie Andrews's house.

Allie turned to her and glared.

"You took advantage of my friend and now he's in danger, so no, I don't like you."

Lynn felt a deep pang of guilt. She really had screwed this situation up so badly.

"Fair enough, but that isn't the _only _reason."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

Lynn knew she was kicking a hornets nest. She was already on thin ice with the girl. Still, she just couldn't help herself. She may have looked like a young woman, but she still had the soul of an old one. She saw a young woman in **** need of some guidance.

"I saw how you looked at that boy Mack. And I saw how he looked at me."

"You're unbelievable! Are you seriously bragging right now?"

"No!" Maybe a little. "What I'm trying to say is you're in love with someone who doesn't even notice you."

The anger shifted to sadness on Allie's face. Clearly, she had been harboring her crush for a while.

"So? What's your point?"

"Look, I know I don't look it, but I'm sixty eight years old. Physically, I feel better than I have in decades, but my soul still feels weary. I've been around the block more times than I can remember and I have a lot of advice. I'm not interested in Mack. I really wasn't trying to go after Anthony - That was an accident. Now I'm rambling. What I'm trying to say is I have advice."

"I don't need your advice," Allie said. A few seconds passed and then she glanced back over. "However, if you were to give me advice, what would it be?"

Attagirl.

"A boy like Mack has wandering eyes. He's always looking for the next pretty thing. You have to decide if he's worth it. If he isn't, let him go. If you think he is, you need to get right in front of him and make him pay attention to you."

"But how? I'm not even the hottest girl in our little friend group. That would be Bonnie."

"Yes, Bonnie. I've heard an awful lot about her," her words sharpened. She didn't really want Anthony, but jealousy had a way of infecting even the purest heart.

"Things used to be even. She used to be a fatty, and me a mouse. Neither of us ever got much attention. Then, suddenly, she loses weight and she turns into a total hottie. Meanwhile, I'm still a nobody. I swear, it feels like puberty just left me behind."

Allie was short and a little pudgy. Her hair was brown, her eyes were brown. Her skin was neither alabaster pale nor bronzed tan, but instead an unremarkable middle. She was pretty, but not excessively so. She was neither flat chested, nor busty. Everything about her was in a boring middle. Lynn saw it, and felt sorry for the girl. With enough time and patience, Allie could attract a loving partner, but in the meantime she would suffer.

"Stay positive. It will get better sooner or later. Trust me."

The words felt hollow.

"We're here," Allie said flatly.