Dane plans a party.

The cafeteria was everything Alexa had hoped. Delicious, healthy food with a ton of options, including a make your own smoothy station, and everything clearly labeled with with nutritional information for people tracking their macros or eating on a special diet, like keto or paleo.

Alexa herself went for a low-carb, high protein option of baked sockeye on quinoa with a salad. Perfect fuel to help keep her in top shape for athletics, but she hoped nobody would think it was a girly option. Especially after Dane got a thick steak with sweet potato fries.

As soon as they had eaten, Dane started telling people that they were having a party in his room tonight.

"Hey," Alexa said, "weren't you going to, um, ask me before throwing a party in our room?"

"Oh," he said, "should I have?"

The way he said it gave her pause. It was the first indication he'd given that he knew he had leverage over her. She swallowed hard, remembered the doctor, and said, "um, I guess not. I mean it's no big deal."

"Don't worry," he said, "it will be fun. You want to start the school year off on the right note."

Alexa had her doubts. A bunch of strange men partying in her room meant more chances to be discovered, and more time without privacy.

"Don't look so nervous," Dane said. "I'll make sure you have a good time."