Excitement about the play builds in the community, especially because the playwright's daughter has the starring role this year. But Landon feels no such excitement because his friends tease him relentlessly over his connection to Jamie.
Landon begins walking Jamie home each night, at her request, because of the late hour at which they leave rehearsals. Landon, with obvious sarcasm, reflects internally on how safe the town is, even at night. During one of their evening walks, Jamie reveals that she doesn't plan to attend college in spite of being one of the best students in the class. She also talks about missing her mother, and Jamie reveals that the Bible she always carries belonged to her mother, who had it with her in the hospital when she died.
One night, Eric and Margaret see the two walking home, and Eric again mocks them under the guise of being sweet and polite. Eric quickly tells everyone at school about the after-rehearsal walks, and Landon finds himself withdrawing from his friends in frustration over their teasing. The night before the play, Landon finally lashes out at Jamie, who is deeply hurt by his outburst.
