Wildfire

Russ calls JJ for advice on what to do about Aurora. JJ believes that Russ misinterpreted Aurora’s departure after their hookup as disinterest when it might have simply been her conforming to routine. JJ advises Russ to show interest in Aurora if he’s still interested because acting reserved will only make Russ look like “some guy who got what he wanted and is now ignoring her, and [Russ is] not that guy” (100). After the call, Russ offers to fill Xander’s water bottle rather than face the angry texts from his father, who doesn’t appreciate Russ’s decision not to reply to his latest request for money. Russ collides with Aurora near the water machines and notices that she’s been crying, but she claims to be fine when he asks about her well-being.

In the afternoon, their counselor group meets to practice first aid. Because Russ overheard Aurora speaking to Maya earlier about her discomfort with Clay’s handsy behavior and over-attentiveness to her body, Russ pairs himself with Aurora before Clay has the chance to. Aurora is standoffish with Russ at first but eventually reveals that it’s her father’s birthday and that they have a complicated relationship that she’s struggling to cope with.