My Life with the Walter Boys

The girls make their way to the clearing in the forest, which has been decorated for the event. Riley and Heather prepare to go swimming, while Jackie finds Alex and Kim with a group of friends at one of the picnic tables. Jackie offers to go get beers for her and Alex and makes her way to the keg. As she is returning, Cole pulls her aside, nearly spilling the beer.

Cole asks Jackie if they can talk, and she tries to make an excuse to get back to Alex. Cole convinces her to give him five minutes. Cole takes Jackie to another clearing deeper in the woods. Jackie, exasperated, asks Cole to explain why he brought her here, and he admits that he has romantic feelings for her. Cole buries his face in his hands, asking her why she said yes to Alex. Jackie responds that she does not understand Cole’s back-and-forth nature when it comes to his feelings for her.

Cole laments that he did not “plan” (285) on developing feelings for Jackie and she has an epiphany: Despite all her past attempts to control every aspect of her life to keep herself safe, some things in life simply cannot be anticipated.