Hailey picks up Danny from Thomas’s house before the Battle of the Bands. He’s moved by how pretty she looks. On the way to the school, they discuss how they feel about the performance. Danny is nervous being in the car, but tries to dismiss his memories. He wants to focus on being present for Hailey.

As the bands set up in preparation for the competition, Danny thinks about his former high school band friends and wishes they could be there “to share this with [him]” (253). Danny finds Thomas, Suzanne, and Nessa in the audience. When Danny asks where Jack is, Thomas explains that he found Jack raiding his medicine cabinet and got angry with him, so Jack stole some pills and ran away. Thomas blames himself for handling the situation poorly. Danny can’t believe that Jack would leave his sister, but Thomas argues that Nessa wants to stay in Concord because she wants a more stable life. He assures Danny that they’ll figure everything out together and encourages him to focus on his performance.

Danny goes backstage to prepare. Cameron and Hailey are arguing again. Danny and Cameron argue, too, and Hailey gets upset.