Evalynn spent an additional three and a half weeks in the hospital while on suicide watch. When the doctors determined that she was no longer a danger to herself, they finally gave the okay for her to return home. By then, it was already winter break and she had missed the majority of her first semester. Evan and Connor had set up shifts so that she was never by herself for longer than a few minutes at a time when she needed to go to the bathroom. Evan had made up with Jared the rest of the way after word spread around the school that Daniel Collins was the reason Evalynn had tried to kill herself at the beginning of September.

They had both been spending more time at the Hansen household when it was Evan's turn to watch Evalynn. When Heidi learned what the boys were doing, she thanked them profusely, wishing she could be around more often, but having to work even more often with the upcoming holidays. During one of Connor's shifts, she brought up the fact that she still hadn't been to his house.

"Like, I get that I was in a coma for three months, but don't you think it's about time I see where you live?"

Connor shifted uncomfortably on the couch, concentrating on the TV. It was turned on to some documentary on the Discovery Channel.

"I don't think that's a good idea, Lynn."

"Why not? Doesn't your family want to meet their son's Soulmate?"

"Well, that's the thing... They, um, don't know you're my Soulmate."

"W-wait. What?"

"They don't know I found my Soulmate," Connor admitted, eyes still glued to the screen.

"Why not?" Evalynn inquired, confused. "Why would they let you spend all that time at the hospital with me if they didn't know we're Soulmates?"

"They, um... Evan and I told them that he and I were friends and I was there to be supportive."

When Evalynn didn't say anything, Connor tore his eyes away from the TV to look at her.

"So... what? I can't go over to your house because you don't want them to know?"

"Lynn," Connor sighed. "You've got to understand. I am the only one in my entire family who's found their Soulmate. My parents aren't Soulmates, and Zoe is obsessed with finding hers, and hasn't yet. If they found out I found mine..."

"Oh," Evalynn uttered, turning her attention to the documentary.

Connor opened his mouth to say something else, but his phone buzzed at that moment. Glancing at it, he found three texts: one from Zoe and two from his mom. He opened the ones from his mom first.

M: Where are you?
M: Come home NOW.

Furrowing his brow, Connor opened the text from Zoe to find a little more information:

Z: Dad's pissed. You need to get home now.

Connor checked his watch. His shift wasn't over for at least another hour. Which meant that if he was going to deal with whatever his dad was mad about now, Evalynn would have to tag along with him.

"Uugh... Okay, know that I'm still super against this, but I guess you get to come to my house now."

"Wait, what?" Evalynn turned to look at him.

"I apparently needed to be home now fifteen minutes ago," Connor said, double checking when the first text was sent.

"Well, then what are we waiting for?"

Evalynn jumped up off the couch, turning off the TV as she did so. Connor stood much more slowly.

"Lynn, you've got to understand, my folks... Especially my dad... They're..."

"Don't worry about me, Connor. Let's just go before you're even more late."

Sighing in defeat, Connor led the way out to his red SUV, heading in the direction of his house with a sinking feeling in his chest.