Emma Kate and I didn't have a good solution for the terrible trio's spat by the time rehearsal was about to start the next day. It was too late to recast the play, and usually, Kayleigh, Lorne, and Jude were closer than siblings and thick as thieves. If something had soured in their relationship, there wasn't much we could do about it.

We'd heard about eight different versions of the story from our castmates. Even Parker has sent me a text about it as a heads-up. The most concerning message, however, was from the dean's nephew himself. Lorne Ryder never admitted anything unless there was trouble.

I'm sure that Maddox told you what happened in the green room. I apologize for my actions. Bringing personal problems into the theater problem is unprofessional. I take responsibility for my transgressions. Let me know what I can do to make it up to you.

Lorne didn't apologize. Maybe his aunt was twisting his arm and making him say he was sorry like a toddler, but I didn't think so. His words were controlled but sincere.

I kept waiting with bated breath through the whole rehearsal for something to explode. Maybe Lorne would lose it again, or Kayleigh would burst into tears. Instead, they both sat in the back of the theater on opposite ends of the rooms working on their lines since neither of them was in act two.

When Jude took the stage, Kayleigh turned to face the wall. Jude played off Bradley and Parker well. Still, every once in a while, his gaze would glance over at Kayleigh.

When we were finished, I noticed Dean Ryder standing in the back of the theater. Dr. Tunstelle floated in and out of the back of the theater, but Dean Ryder wasn't around much during the Summer Shakespeare program.

I went looking for Emma Kate, but she'd run off. Even Bradley wasn't sure where she'd gone. Thinking maybe she'd gone to the green room, I headed to the back, but I only found Maddox working on a new costume.

"You have lunch plans?" Maddox asked me.

"Not really," I said. "I was looking for EK."

"I saw her talking on her phone and headed for the exit," Maddox said. "Do you need a ride or something? I can drive you if you don't want to wait until you track down EK."

"No," I shook my head. "I can walk. I wanted to know if she knew why the dean showed up at the end there."

Maddox's face lost its grin. "I'll give you one guess."

All the air left my lungs. "She's going to blame anyone she can to keep her nephew off the heat."

"She can't blame you," Maddox said. "You weren't even there."

I sucked in a thin breath. Things didn't have to go that wrong in a play, or any type of production before people pointed fingers at the director.

"I'm not even sure what we can do," I sighed. "Lorne and I don't talk anymore, and even when I dated him, Jude and Kayleigh didn't give me the time of day."

"The boys took off, but I think Kayleigh's still here," Maddox said. "You could talk to her."

That sounded about as appealing as dealing with Lorne. Kayleigh didn't even speak to me unless she had to. She was a good actress but acted like she was better than everyone else. I knew her family had pretty good money, and she was comfortable.

"I think I'd rather brave the unknown," I rolled my eyes.

Maddox smirked. "You talked to Parker today?"

"This whole pushing me together with Parker act of yours is getting old," I said. "I have enough on my plate without dating."

"If I weren't in a loving relationship at the moment, I'd date him," Maddox said. "But it was hard enough convincing my favorite person to sign up for this course with me."

Maddox, at least, didn't let his dating drama affect the rest of us. Not that I was sure he even had any. He and Lucas were both pretty laid back.

"Well, thanks for not causing more dating drama," I said.

"Of course," Maddox bowed. "I wouldn't dare."

That made me laugh. Maddox always knew how to make anyone in our circle at ease. His disarming personality was simply a part of his charm.

I made one more stop before leaving the theater. The theater bathrooms were nicer than the ones at the café. I splashed a little water on my face and worked on adding a little more concealer to the shadows under my eyes that hadn't gone away in three years.

Having such fair skin was a pain. I wore the palest shade of makeup offered that wasn't white. The color had some silly name like ivory porcelain or something or other.

"Lexi," came a quiet voice from behind me. "Is that you?"

I turned around. I hadn't noticed two sandaled feet under the gap between the stall door and the floor. I didn't recognize whose shoes they were, though.

"Yeah?" I called.

Maybe someone just needed me to pass them toilet paper or something. The janitorial squad didn't come by every day in the summer to restock the bathroom.

The door swung open, and I came face to face with Kayleigh. Her usually matte face was blotchy with sweat, and her hair hung limply around her face.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

"No," her voice was small. "I threw up again."

I took a small step backward. "Are you sick?"

That was something I couldn't afford. I needed to work all summer so being sick wasn't an option.

"Worse," Kayleigh said. "I came in here because I wanted to avoid the boys. Did you see Jude and Lorne leave?"

"Not together," I said. "Do you need anything?"

Kayleigh laughed. "My parents kicked me out. I broke up with my boyfriend, and I'm hiding from my best friend. I'm not sure you can help, Lexi."

She burst into tears. Now on a regular day, I wasn't exactly good with other people's emotions, but this was super weird. Perfect, Miss Kayleigh was crying in a public restroom.

I tried again. "Do you want to go somewhere and talk?"

Kayleigh sniffled. "About what?"

Why did I get the feeling that Parker would be so much better at this than me? I took a deep breath and tried to assess the situation.

Handing Kayleigh a paper towel, I tried to imagine what Parker would say. "I think something's bothering you. Keeping it inside won't help."

Kayleigh wiped her face and blew her nose. She was a mess. Where was she staying if her parents had thrown her out and she wasn't on speaking terms with her friends?

"Do you have somewhere to stay?" I asked.

"I was staying at Jude's place, but last night I camped in my car," she said. "I-I couldn't take it anymore. He has all these plans, and I just... I can't..."

"Our couch is empty," I said. "If you need a place."

Kayleigh stiffened. "I'm not desperate."

I raised an eyebrow. "Where were you planning on sleeping tonight? Because if the answer is your car, I can't let you do that."

"I don't want people to know," Kayleigh said.

If she came to my place, that meant involving Emma Kate and Riley, not to mention our other housemate Gesha. I took a deep breath, trying to come up with another solution. If she stayed with Maddox, Bradley, Lucas, and Chase, she'd have the same problem.

Lorne was living with the dean, and that was out of the question. Not to mention if she wanted Lorne's help, she would have gone straight to him. I didn't know Cynthia or Raisa well enough to get him involved with this. That left one person.

"Parker's discrete, and he owes me," I said.

Not that I'd ever demand anything of Parker, even after I helped him rehouse his cousin for a night. The moment I told him about this, he'd likely offer.

"What?" Kayleigh frowned at the suggestion.

"Parker lives with his family in town, and they have plenty of room," I said. "Trust me."

"Are you dating him or something?" She asked.

I resisted the urge to hit something. Apparently, Maddox wasn't the only one who had the wrong idea about my friendship with Parker.

"He's a friend," I said. "And his family is nice."

"You don't have to hide a relationship from me," Kayleigh said. "What you do on your own time is none of my business."

I shoved my hands in my pockets. "Do you want me to call Parker or not?"

Kayleigh's cheeks burned, and she looked down at her sandals. "Fine, call him."

I took a deep breath and found my phone. The screen lit up, and I found a text from only a minute before from Parker, almost as if he'd read my mind.

Glancing at Kayleigh, I knew I had to ask him now. This was a big favor, but I couldn't let Kayleigh sleep in her car.

I looked up from my phone at Kayleigh. She'd turned to the paper towel dispenser and the sink to attempt to blot her face.

"Parker is going to meet us," I said.

"What did you tell him?" Kayleigh asked.

"Nothing yet," I said. "Do you need anything? I have mascara on me, but we're drastically different shades of concealer."

Kayleigh let out a breath that fogged the mirror. "No, I'm not going to bother."

She retched, and I turned away as she threw up in the sink again. I wasn't sure what was going on with Kayleigh, but if she was throwing up and she wasn't sick...

The answer hit me straight between the eyes. The reason Lorne and Jude were upset and Kayleigh was in shambles. Except I didn't want to ask, especially if she didn't want to talk about it.

I hoped I was wrong. Not just for the sake of the play but for Kayleigh. I didn't envy her. No one wanted to be in this situation.

Kayleigh started crying as she ran the water to clear the sink. I didn't know if I should wrap an arm around her or run and tell someone. Except we weren't kids. We were the adults, and we had to take care of ourselves.

"Have you talked to your family?" I asked.

I didn't think it was possible for Kayleigh to look worse. "They told me not to come home."

"And you broke up with Jude," I said. "Are you sure you don't want to talk?"

She shook her head. "How am I supposed to play Miranda?"

That hadn't even occurred to me. Normally you had to run color changes or haircuts by a director after a play was cast. This was something a little more than a dye job.

"We'll figure something out," I said. "I promise."

I led her out of the bathroom and into the theater. Parker was waiting for us, leaning against the wall. He smiled as I approached, but his eyes widened when he saw Kayleigh beside me.

"You okay?" Parker asked.

"We're going to lunch," I said. "And Kayleigh is going to tell us everything."

Hey everyone!!!  I wanted this chapter out sooner, but I've been sick for a few days, so that's why I had to delay until I was better. This chapter was interesting to put together.  I think the hardest part was titling it. Once again, Lexi is turning to Parker. Thoughts about Kayleigh and her situation?  I'd love to hear your theories.

--- Eliana