I took another Twiglet. And another. In fact, I had four more before I built up the confidence to say what came next. But it mattered to me that Fred of all people knew, despite what he’d heard, not everything about this trip had been just for the challenge. Sure, it might have started off like that, but being around Fred and Ruby had made me care less and less about being the Elle that was online—and more about being me.

I really didn’t care what everyone thought anymore—I cared what they did.

“You know what Holly said—about me caring more about follows than I do about you guys?” Deep breath. “You do know…that’s not true?”

“Uh-huh.” Fred nodded, accepting what I was saying without making me feel even worse.

“Good. ’Cause I wanted to say thank you. For this week… For the introduction to Twiglets…” I didn’t know where this was going. “For throwing popcorn. For hanging out with a potential murderer who likes waffles and nails.”

“As if you’re that.” Fred snorted.

“Well, that’s what you thought when you met me, right?”

“Maaaybe?”

“Fred, they were your exact words.” I nudged him in his ribs, but he didn’t notice due to today’s extra woolly sweater. “It’s just, trust me on this, most people tend to like online Elle way more than this one.” I tugged at my onesie. “I mean, who would click follow for this?”

Fred dragged his feet on the ground and brought himself to a standstill. “Can I be honest with you, Elle?” No one ever asked that for anything good, but I nodded anyway. “I literally couldn’t give a flying turkey about it. Your OneElle thing. In fact”—he stood in front of me—“if anything, I actually find the whole, ‘here’s my hot drink, y’all’”—oh jeez, he was terrible at American accents—“thing kind of annoying. Like, if you love it THAT much, drink it? And yesterday…yesterday was so nearly one of the greatest days ever, but having to do it whilst sprinting really took the shine off. And by the way. These”—he grabbed the metal swing chain—“are one of the biggest reasons kids go to A&E.”

“Well, I’m sorry to have been so…” I couldn’t think of another word. “Frustrating.”

At least I knew why he liked Eve and not me. “You’re not!” Fred dropped his head on his hand holding the chain. “But you are now. Do you really not know what I think?”

I think my silence told him the answer.

He stood back up straight. “Okay, fine.” He looked me square in the eyes. “What I think is…” He took a deep breath in and out. “You’re great, Elle. And even more so at times like this, when you’re not trying to be.”