Sometimes Lilly cut school in January and drove out to the beach by herself. It was too early for anyone else to want to be out, too cold for anyone with any sense to be out there.

Her mother often said that she lacked sense. And morals. Lilly thought her mother lacked a soul and fashion sense, so it all worked out.

She’d set up her lounge chair and her umbrella and lay out, bikini clad even in the cool California morning. She’d always been hot-natured, so it didn’t bother her.

Once, she looked up and down the beach, as if realizing for the first just how alone she was.

She didn’t know why, but Lilly remembered the last fight with Logan. She didn’t remember what it was about. She’d been too drunk to retain that much. But she did remember what he’d said to her.

“God, Lilly… It’s like you’re too bright! Too hot to touch! How does anyone get near you?”

Lilly curled up, feeling suddenly chilled.

And when she went back to school the next day and made up with Logan, Veronica’s hands clutching her elbow, Logan’s arms around her shoulders, Duncan kicking her underneath the table, and Weevil’s eyes never leaving her, she looked around as if realizing for the first time just how alone she really was.