“Are…are you joking?” I couldn’t tell—I looked down at myself. “I’m wearing pajamas in public.”

“And you’ve got Holly’s mum’s coat on.” Great job, me. I must have grabbed the wrong one. “But that’s exactly why I’d swap online Elle for real-life you any day.”

“Well, I appreciate that.” I stood up and started to walk toward the path. I knew Fred was trying to cheer me up, but I was done with today. “But I think you might be the only one who thinks that… The swap thing, not the coat thing.”

Fred looked genuinely confused. “Are you kidding me? Holly’s told me about all your friends she’s met.” He must have gotten mixed up. “Don’t look at me like that…look.” Fred got out his phone and turned it on. “Yes, I’m on three percent battery, but I’m counting this as an emergency, okay?”

After scrolling back through his messages, he held it out. “See…read this.”

It was a message Holly had sent him a few days back. “Wish you were here. But seeing as you’re not, I made an AMAZING friend of Elle’s. Literally the coolest! She’s dressed like a pot roast. And is more obsessed with Elle than me?! So that’s one.”

Gosh—that must have been Flo at the party. Maybe that’s why she started to follow me a few days ago?

“Oh, and another. No jokes. Has anyone other than Ruby asked after me? Because I almost couldn’t order at this burger bar because the dude has soooo many questions about Elle.”

Rohan? Was asking about me? I thought his comment the other day was just a fluke? Fred looked up. “Not to mention actual Temi. Who Ruby told me—and I quote ‘has made me swear I’ll sort a hanging out before Elle leaves.” He nodded. “True story. She’s got a Christmas card for you. I’ve seen it.”

Well, this was all news to me. I’d always thought the only people who might like me did because of my account? But had focusing on being internet Elle just made me miss what was right in front of me all along?

“Fred…I…” But I didn’t know what to say. Maybe today hadn’t been a total mess after all. “Thank you. Really. Thank you.”

He didn’t know it, but he might have changed everything. I felt like a weight had been lifted. Dove or no Dove, I suddenly knew being back home was going to feel way better than it ever had before.

I looked at Fred’s phone again and smiled. Which only got bigger when a sudden burst of earlier messages all popped up one after another all from Holly.

ELLE IS NOT WITH LOGAN I REPEAT ELLE IS NOT WITH LOGAN IGNORE EVERYTHING WE SAID!!!!