We Are All Made of Molecules

The morning after her Facebook rendezvous with Jared, Ashley can’t wait to let her friends at school know. As expected, they are envious, which pleases Ashley immensely. She thinks that she and Jared make a stunning couple, and that the obvious care Jared takes with his appearance “says a lot about a person’s character” (126).

Jared asks to come over to Ashley’s house after school. On the walk home, he confides that he was expelled from the private school he once attended. Ashley says that his expulsion must have been unjustified. As they enter the Anderson house, Ashley belatedly remembers that Stewart is already there. Refusing to take a hint, Stewart joins the couple in the living room. Jared seems interested in the porcelain figurine collection on the mantel, and Stewart eagerly points out the name and value of each piece that once belonged to his mother. Jared begins to sneeze and confesses he is allergic to cats. Stewart obligingly takes Schrödinger upstairs and out of the way.

After Jared leaves, Ashley is angry that Stewart didn’t make himself scarce. Her parents have a rule that she isn’t allowed to have boys over unless an adult is present. Stewart casually points out that Jared is his friend too, so he could invite him over at any time.