"Come on, Kate. You have to come to the party," Olivia needled from her bed in the corner of her large bedroom. "It'll be fun. Besides, you owe me for not taking me to Japan with you," she added.

Kate scoffed. "I never agreed to take you to Japan in the first place."

"Fine. But it'll still be fun," Olivia replied. "My mom's got the best catering in and she's spent months planning this thing. She'll expect you to be there."

"Ugh, fine. If it'll shut you up I'll come by," Kate relented. "But I'm not coming in a costume."

"Oh for fuck's sake, Kate. Would it kill you to participate just once without me having to beg you?" Olivia groaned.

"Fine. I'll come as a ghost," Kate offered, jokingly.

"Ha ha," Olivia rolled her eyes. "You're a barrel of fucking laughs."

Kate launched a teddy bear across the room at her friend and smiled. Since returning from Japan three days ago, they'd spent most of their time together. Olivia wanted all of the details about her trip - where they stayed, the actors Jared was working with, what the set was like - and it had become redundant. But it was nice to have someone to talk to without needing an interpreter. As expected, Jared was happy to see her, but busier than all get out. He spent most of his free time writing with Stevie. And when Kate had to come home, he sent her back on her own, keeping the guitarist for himself.

The fight back had been nice, first class all the way. Emma met her at the airport and spent the whole drive back to the Compound filling her in on what happened during her absence. Vedder was so excited to see her he actually got off the floor and greeted her at the front door with a wagging tail. She was happy to return to school, even though she still had no idea what sports team she would be joining.

Now she was sitting in Olivia's bedroom, ignoring their homework for AP English, instead discussing the epic party Olivia's mother had been planning for Halloween. Kate still didn't enjoy parties, but she felt obligated to go because of her friend.

So four hours later, Kate found herself standing in a corner in Olivia's formal living room, nestled between a cast iron candelabra draped in fake spider webs and a large plastic cauldron bubbling over with dry ice steam as a spooky soundtrack deafened her ears. The room was dark, lit only by dim green and purple lights, and people filled the space.

She pushed off the wall and meandered through the crowd toward the kitchen. As she was pouring herself some punch, a familiar voice met her ear over the din of the party.

"I was hoping you'd be here," Nathan said. She froze and sighed, her grip on the ladle tightening until her knuckles turned white. "Can I talk to you?" he asked.

"I have nothing to say to you," she replied through gritted teeth. She made to walk away but he caught her elbow.

"Please, Kate. Let me explain," he said.

She turned and looked at him. He wasn't wearing a costume and she suddenly felt very silly in her witch's hat and black mini dress. "Three minutes," she said.

He allowed her to lead him up the stairs to Olivia's room. She shut the door behind him, dampening the noise from the party around them. He sat on the bed but she stood near the door.

"I'm sorry," he started. "What I did was shitty and I understand if you hate me."

She scoffed. "Glad we cleared that up," she remarked, rolling her eyes.

"The last few weeks have been hell for me," he continued.

"Good," she muttered.

"I shouldn't have done what I did. And I hope you can forgive me," he said, ignoring her jab. "I just...I didn't want to hurt you."

"Too late."

"Jesus, Kate!" he exclaimed, standing. "I'm trying to apologize here, okay? You're making it seem like I killed your dog!"

"You lied to me!" she shouted. "I'm allowed to be angry with you!"

"Fine! I'll just add you to the rest of the people!" Nathan said. "I came out to my parents the same day I told you. You know what they said to me? Nothing. My mom won't even look at me anymore! My dad won't even talk to me. They act like I've brought extreme shame on the family! Like I'm a disappointment! So sure, let's go ahead and add you to the list. Why not?" he rambled, gesturing wildly. "I've disappointed every other important person in my life. Why not add you to the list, as well?"

Kate stared at him in disbelief, the anger she'd been harboring for him melting rapidly. "Wait - your parents aren't supportive of you?" she asked.

"Fuck no, Kate! Of course they aren't supportive of me! Do you know what would happen if my grandfather's business associates and contacts found out I was gay?" he asked. "They'd withdraw any offers and terminate any contracts. Its literally the worst possible thing that could happen to the family."

"I think that's a little dramatic, don't you?" she said.

"No, it's not. Homosexuality isn't accepted in Japan, Kate. It's not spoken about. How do you think it feels, knowing that you've brought such shame on your family that your own grandfather refuses to even speak to you?" Nathan remarked. "I have essentially lost anyone I ever loved in one day - my mom, my dad, even you. And I can't go back on it now. You have no idea what that feels like."

She had to stifle a laugh. "Okay, actually I do know how that feels. But I get what you're saying." She walked toward him and put a hand on his arm. "I - I'm sorry I haven't been speaking to you."

He shook his head. "It's fine. Its not like its anything new. You're just one more person on the list."

She looked at him in the dimly-lit room and felt her heart thaw. Though she had hardened it against him after their fight, she realized that she was being selfish. Nathan needed a friend more than he needed a girlfriend. It wasn't the end of the world and quite frankly, not having a boyfriend gave Kate a lot more time to focus on other things.

She actually felt sorry for him. If the situation was reversed, Jared would have been completely supportive of her. She couldn't imagine having a parent that didn't support her.

"Its okay," she said. "I understand. I'm not mad anymore."

"So we can go back to being friends? Because right now, I could really use some," he sighed.

She nodded. "Yes. I forgive you."

He started sobbing and put his arms around her. "Thank you," he whispered against her hair. "You have no idea what that means to me."

"It'll be alright, okay? Everything will be alright," Kate assured him.