Giving in because he wants tater tots Garret walks to the lunchroom, but before he walks through the doors he scans the room and doesn't spot Porter anywhere. He does, however, see his sister but she can't stop him so he walks in. So far so good now all he has to do is make it to the table with his friends, "Garret?" He feels a hand on his shoulder. Dropping his head disappointed in himself Garret turns, "hi Porter" he tries to act natural.

"Hi Garret" he replies with a passive-aggressive tone, Porter sighs then says "I've given you five whole days worth of your space, and I'm not really sure what I did but I just need you to answer one thing." Garret waits "why are you so convinced that I don't have real feelings for


you? That I'm just doing this to prove a point to myself"

Thinking about a clear answer Garret replies "because you haven't said it, you haven't opened your mouth to actually say I like you, Garret."

"Yes I have"


"No, you haven't, not to me at least." "Ok, then I l-"

"No stop" Garret cuts him off, "saying it because I need you to shouldn't be how you say it. And if


you mean it I need you to show me." "How?"

Garret shrugs "I don't know,"

"Then how about you come to my party?" Porter asks "Another one?" He nods "don't you think that's too many?" "There is no such thing as too many parties, Garret"

"When is it?"

"Tomorrow night eight o'clock"

Garret thinks about it and knows he should probably say no, "I can't" "Why not, Garret?"

"Because my friends aren't invited"

"Who said they weren't? Everyone's invited" "That's not true" Garret shakes his head.

"Yes it is I have never not invited everyone to my parties"

"No the people who show up are the ones invited, everyone else knows they aren't because of your friends including my sister."

"How is that my fault?"

"You don't get it" Garret walks away.

Porter grabs his hand stopping him "ok I don't get it, I put the word out about a party it's an open invitation"

"But it's really not" turning to the entire lunchroom Garret says to Porter, "about sixty percent of this school believes they'd never be wanted at a party you or any other popular person throws. Your last party which was the only party I've ever been to I had to beg Harper to let me come. You're oblivious to it because you choose to be Porter, but these people aren't wanted."

"What do you want me to do, Garret?" Porter looks at him "Do you really want me there?" They look at each other Porter nods, "yes"

"Ok then invite everyone else"

He chuckles "what? I can't make all these people come to my party"

"I'm not saying make them come of course they won't all come, just invite them." "How am I supposed to do that?" Porter smiles finding the idea crazy

"You'll figure it out."

They stand there and Porter stares at the room full of people, knowing this is all he has to do to prove to Garret that he's serious, Porter walks away without saying another word.

Garret watches as he gets to the first table "hey guys sorry to interrupt your eating, um my name's Porter and I just wanted to let you guys know I'm having a party tomorrow night. Eight o'clock, address is 360 Ferris Rd, it'd be cool if you guys could come." He walks away heading to the next table then turns to Garret as he starts again, they smile at each other and Porter continues.