The Hills - Season 4, Episode 6

"I simply can't fathom the notion of supporting a friend."

"You Always Miss a Best Friend"
Original airdate: 9/14/2008

Episode summary: Holly reconnects with Lauren, much to Heidi's dismay. Audrina is disappointed when Justin bails on being her plus one at a concert.

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Recap: Holly tells Heidi that she really wants to go out tonight, adding that the only people she knows in L.A. are her and Lauren. When an eavesdropping Spencer sarcastically suggests she should go hang with Lauren, Heidi says it'd be hugely problematic if she did do that - but then concedes that she can't dictate who she spends time with. Spencer blurts out that he has zero problem dictating with whom this grown woman can socialize, and pompously decrees, "While you're living under this roof, there's no Lauren" ... and Holly rolls her eyes in response and announces that, yep, she's definitely going to call Lauren. LOL.

Over at People's Revolution, Lauren tells Whitney that the tension with Audrina has been magically resolved - just as she gets a text from Holly, asking if she wants to get together. Lauren tells Whitney she'd loooove to see her old friend - but is reluctant to re-instigate the kind of fan-hitting shit that Spencer and Heidi just put Stephanie through.

At Epic Records, Audrina is summoned to the cubicle of her colleague Kristin, who informs her that they've been "assigned" the "task" of attending a performance by an up and coming band, The White Tie Affair, at the Roosevelt Hotel tomorrow night. She emphasizes that it's a really big deal...and that since Charlie Walker (the president of Epic Records) will be there, the event needs to run smoothly. Audrina smilingly promises she'll have everything under control. 

While lunching in an outdoor restaurant, Holly gives Lauren an update on her current living situation: she somehow has no better housing option than to live in a tiny apartment with Heidi and Spencer, and that conditions can best be described as crowded. Lauren scrunches her face in distaste at the notion of voluntarily bunking with that twosome, then makes it clear to Holly that while she's totes down with reviving their friendship, she doesn't want to be a source of conflict between her and Heidi/Spencer. Holly chews on that for a few seconds, then dishes about how Heidi clearly feels regretful about how horribly wrong things went down between them in at the beginning of Season 3, then reminisces about how much fun the three of them used to have in the old, pre-Hills days. Lauren stares vacantly into space and mutters, "Mmm, yeah..", then invites Holly to call her anytime she's interested in hanging out. 

"I'm squatting with Heidi and Spencer."

"I'll let this expression be my reaction to that living situation."

Over dinner at Amalfi Ristorante, Audrina tells Justin that the general mood at the house is much improved, and that she and her roommates are committed to no longer being so bitchy to each other. She then tells him about The White Tie Affair event and says she'd really really like it if he came as her plus one - but he looks visibly disinterested in demonstrating that kind of support and half-heartedly mumbles that he'll do his best to muster the will to put in an appearance...which I can only translate to mean that no way in hell is Mr. Mercurial planning on showing up.  

At the house, Lauren promises Audrina that she, Lo, and Stephanie will definitely be at The White Tie Affair performance and after-party. When Audrina says she's [deludedly] expecting Justin to show up, Lauren gaily cheers, "Yay!", then tells her about her lunch date with Holly. She adds that while Holly is living with Heidi and Spencer, she can only assume/faintly hope that her presence in the apartment is having a positive effect on Heidi.

At the Roosevelt, The White Tie Affair prepares for their performance, while Audrina and Kristin survey the audience and decide it's a decent enough crowd. Charlie Walk gathers everyone together and happily tells the band members that his staff assembled a very favorable group of music aficionados, and then everyone toasts the night ahead with shots all around. Once the band hit the stage and starts performing, Kristin and Audrina join the audience and bop to the beat. A few seconds later, Lauren ambles in with Stephanie and Lo in tow...and Audrina happily greets them, then disappointedly says that Justin hasn't yet made an appearance. 

When Heidi returns home, Holly tells her she's been out and about, looking for pretend jobs, and meeting up with Lauren for lunch. Heidi shoots her a 'the hell?' look at that last thing and poutishly accuses her of going behind her back - but Holly assures her that 1) her loyalties will always lie with her, 2) it's obvious that Lauren misses her, and 3) nothing is beyond repair [even though the Lauren/Heidi friendship is very very far beyond repair]. 

Over at the Roosevelt after-party, Stephanie gabs with Sean (the band's guitarist) and loudly squeals when he shows her his pierced nipples. Across the room, Lo asks Audrina if she's expecting Justin to put in an appearance... and when Audrina says she has no idea what Sloppy Pants is doing tonight, Lauren glances at Lo in dismay before disdainfully murmuring, "Way to be a buzzkill."

"What's Justin doing tonight?"

"Not adhering to the Hills filming schedule, evidently."

The next day at Epic Records, Audrina dishes to Chiara about how well The White Tie Affair concert/after-party went, and that she was thrilled to meet Charlie Walk. She adds that she invited a few friends to attend the event - but naturally Justin didn't show, or even have the decency to call her and tell her he was bailing. She complains about how she "gives and gives" - but that her efforts are never reciprocated by him...and that despite their chemistry, he always seems to fall back into the annoying pattern of behaving as though he couldn't give even the tiniest rat's ass about her. 

In a segment that weaves together Lauren's conversation with Stephanie and Heidi's conversation with Kimberly to make it look like they're talking simultaneously.. 

• Lauren discusses meeting up with Holly, and admits she's fairly skittish about socializing with her too much 'cause of the Spencer-associated blowback Holly might face. Stephanie calls it scary that Holly lives with Spencer and Heidi, particularly 'cause there's a strong possibility they're going to ice her out the same way they did to her (meaning Stephanie).
• Heidi tells Kimberly that Holly has been hanging out with Lauren, and that it makes her sad 'cause of the nasty way their formerly awesome friendship imploded. She says it's so unfortunate that things ended because of how much Lauren haaaaated her boyfriend, not to mention all of the horrible things she (Heidi) said out of anger that she now regrets. She then shrugs and voices her hope that, "Maybe Holly will, like, peace everything out."
• Lauren tells Stephanie she remembers how much fun she, Heidi, and Holly used to have in the old days - but, that said, she doesn't want Heidi to get any ideas that Holly can fix (or peace out) the irreparable damage that destroyed their friendship. 
• Heidi tells Kimberly that perhaps a miracle will happen and that one day, in the not-so-distant future, she and Lauren can be friends again.
• Lauren says that seeing Holly made think about Heidi, sadly admitting, "You always miss a best friend" as Stephanie stares back at her with a look of intrigued concern.
• Heidi murmurs, "Who knows...maybe one day" while Kimberly stares back at her with a look of incurious apathy.

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