A Good Neighborhood

Juniper and Xavier get off work early after a delivery truck breaks down. Xavier apologizes for kissing Juniper, but Juniper says he does not need to be sorry. He says that he likes her but that he is leaving in August, which would make things hard for them. They talk about being friends but conclude that they should not ignore their feelings for each other. Xavier turns the conversation to Juniper’s car. She is embarrassed because she thinks the car is too extravagant, but Xavier says that Juniper did what anyone in that situation would do. Juniper then asks Xavier if he wants to get a milkshake, and he follows behind as they drive to the restaurant. Juniper feels a mix of “boldness” and “nervousness.” She feels emboldened by her newfound interest in independence, but she is nervous around Brad.

Juniper and Xavier call their meeting an “un-date.” They ask each other questions, with Xavier starting first and questioning Juniper’s purity pledge. She says she had wanted to take the pledge because she enjoyed the culture of the church. The people were calm and happy, and there were fun activities she could get involved in. New Hope preached that by being modest and obedient, the girls could find respect, love, and admiration.