Binding 13

At school on Monday, Johnny finds Gibsie and asks him for help staying away from Shannon. As Johnny explains his situation, Gibsie fails to understand why Johnny shouldn’t try a relationship with her. However, despite not understanding, he agrees to help Johnny. He also tells Johnny that he could just be friends with Shannon—an idea that never occurred to Johnny because “she’s a girl” (359).

Shannon stays home from school for the week to care for her mother and her younger brothers. Her mother hardly speaks to her, while her father blames Shannon for his abuse of their mother and for the miscarriage that abuse caused. Although Joey comes home after three days, Shannon also realizes that one day he will not come home.

When she returns to school on Monday, she feels immense relief and safety.

After her last class of the day on Monday, Shannon goes into the locker room to change. She tells Claire about going to the pub with Johnny and about going to his house. As two other girls in the locker room talk about Johnny, Claire joins their conversation. She then reveals to them that Shannon has hung out with Johnny a few times.

The girls are adamant that Shannon needs to be careful of Bella.