In Ally's bedroom, she was touching up her face at the vanity while talking on the phone with her friend.
Meanwhile, in a basement decorated for someone who loves rock music, Alison—with her emo look and black makeup—was giving advice to her friend.
"Listen to me, Ally. If you really like Jimmy, you should take this chance and finally win him over…" In the dark basement, Alison sat in a chair and gave her opinion while tuning a guitar.
"You should totally go for it." Alison's younger sister, who was behind her, joined in to give advice to her older sister's friend.
"Even my sister agrees," Alison said as she turned to tell her little sister to leave. Then she picked up the landline phone with a long cord and added, "I've seen how interested Veronica is in Jimmy—more than usual. If you make a move, it would be like crushing that annoying girl. Just thinking about it is exciting…"
"Come on, Ally! We're all rooting for you!" Alison's sister got more and more excited as she spoke, ending her pep talk like a true cheerleader.
"No, Jimmy and I aren't in the kind of relationship you think." Ally, sitting in front of the vanity, initially declined the suggestion shyly when she heard her two friends speaking so bluntly. Then she asked with guilt, "I mean… yes… but I don't think what I feel is love. It's more like admiration."
This time, her feelings weren't clearly leaning toward love. Ally knew Jimmy didn't feel that way about her—they didn't know each other well enough to reach that kind of relationship, and besides, they were too young.
After hearing Ally's answer, the two girls in the basement exchanged a silent look.
Alison said, "First, you need to create an opportunity for the two of you to be alone. The setting is super important… Trust me, when a boy and a girl are in the same room, Jimmy definitely won't be able to resist the temptation."
"I already said there's nothing going on between Jimmy and me…" Ally still tried to deny it, but when she heard the giggles on the other end of the line, she realized it was pointless to be stubborn. "Okay, so what exactly should I do?"
"Exactly! You should feel honored to have the chance to be with a guy who might go farther than anyone in our whole generation."
"High school guys definitely think about this stuff. Today, dress attractively. Then spill a little soup or coffee on him 'by accident,' and suggest he go clean up in the bathroom. Then dress sexy and surprise him…"
"By the way, Jimmy's been looking really good lately. He's changed since he joined the football team," Alison said brightly, as if she'd suddenly become a relationship expert.
On the other side of the call, Ally listened to the scenario and couldn't help but picture Jimmy wiping off his sweat. Suddenly, her cheeks turned red and she shook her head firmly.
"I'm not doing that."
After hanging up, Ally sat in front of the vanity for a long while. She didn't leave her bedroom until she had calmed down a bit.
In the living room, Ally's father had prepared a lavish lunch and was waiting for the guest to arrive.
Ally's uncle was sitting calmly beside him, holding a newspaper in his hands, pretending to pass the time.
As soon as Ally walked out, both men's eyes turned to her.
"Isn't my niece's outfit a little too casual?" her father's brother whispered, covering his eyes with the newspaper.
"Compared to the short skirt she wore yesterday, this is much better," said John, a single father raising his teenage daughter. He didn't demand too much from her.
In his eyes, she was perfect—too perfect to place demands on.
But change was always around the corner, and to prepare for this new chapter in his daughter's life, he'd called his brother over.
"Ally, were you secretly drinking in your room? Why is your face so red?" After exchanging glances with John, James looked at his niece and asked with mock seriousness.
"Uncle James…" Ally rolled her eyes at her uncle's teasing. She was used to James—after all, he and her dad worked as detectives.
August in Texas was scorching hot, so Ally's explanation made sense.
Ally was a bit hesitant and didn't wear the seductive mini skirt she'd prepared the night before.
Still, her clothes gave her a more modest, reserved aura.
In general, temptation at this age was still strong for boys.
Just as Ally's father was about to subtly remind his daughter about her outfit, someone knocked on the door.
"I'll get it!" Ally jumped up and ran to the door, her long white legs in motion.
James glanced at his brother, pulled out his service pistol, and said, "If that kid's a complete idiot, we'll kick him out."
"You don't even have to say it," John replied firmly. He wasn't going to let his daughter fall for some slacker. No way.