The Hills: A New Roommate (Episode 325)

Lauren considers her grapefruit: Image courtesy MTV.com.Guess who's playing catch-up?

Your Hills recapper, Jasmine, that's who. Yes. Just in time for the season 3 finale, I'm finally getting up off my morbidly obese arse to recap the last 3 episodes. Granted, these recaps are going to be shorter than usual becuase I'm a: crunched for time, and b: these episodes have been real snoozefests, but just bear with me, okay? And here's hoping that the season 3 finale is good enough and dramatic enough to leave us talking (read: you guys leaving comments on my blog) until season 4 airs later this year.

Lauren finally sees what Audrina's been up to when she and Audrina, along with Lo, hit GOA on a Thursday night. When Audrina mentions that Stephanie and Heidi should be out, Lo gets that "Here we go" look on her face but says nothing while Lauren gets in the shower. Somewhere else in town, Heidi and Stephanie are picking out an outfit for Heidi. Heidi, ever hopeful and ever naive, wonders if Lauren will be nicer now that she's not with Spencer.

It doesn't take long to find out as Lauren gives her not one but two cold shoulders (she's wearing a strapless dress) at the club. Heidi squeezes into Audrina's banquette -- is it just me or did that sound dirty? -- while Lauren and Lo get drinks. Heidi tells Audrina that everybody's favorite motorcycle-riding, hygienically challenged slacker Justin/Bobby is at GOA, too. When Lauren and Lo get back to their seats Lauren asks everyone to slide down so she doesn't have to sit next to Heidi. She can barely keep her seat or her cool when Justin/Bobby joins in, and they have a nice chat about how nice it is to be friends with Audrina when she was friends long before Lauren was. It isn't long before Lauren leaves for the night, Lo in tow.

The next morning, Stephanie sees Lauren and Heidi sharing a table (albeit briefl, with a number of people as a buffer) a step towards reconciliation. Heidi doesn't agree, disappointed still that Lauren was as "cold" as she was. At the Hillside Villas, Lauren and Lo consider moving into a house together, as Lo spends all of her time with Lauren anyway, and it would be fun. How about Audrina? Lo isn't sure that Audrina would feel comfortable living with them, as she's cool with Heidi. They'd ask her but Audrina isn't home.

Audrina's at Republic, having dinner with Justin/Bobby. Scruffy looks intact, he's just as mellow though not non-commital. Having moved to a new house and changed his priorities seem to have improved him in Audrina's eyes. Audrina confides her excitement about a new friendship with Heidi -- could Justin/Bobby be next on her make-up list?

Or does she have to check in with Lauren? Lauren seems suspicious still the next day at home with Audrina. Sure, he didn't burp in her face, but is he really changed for the better? Audrina can't promise that there won't be something between them, so Lauren can't rest assured that he won't hurt Audrina like he did before. Audrina insists it was good to see him.

It's never good to see Spencer, as Heidi remembers when she stops by Stephanie's condo. Stephanie isn't home but Spencer, as ever, is sitting on the couch. Heidi makes the mistake of telling him that she was uncomfortable being at GOA when Lauren was there, and has no sympathy for Heidi.

Lo and Lauren are at The Spanish Kitchen, waiting for Audrina to join them for a meal. Of course, when you have three girls, and one of those girls isn't there, what else is left for the other two to do but gossip about the third girl's boyfriend? Cattiness about Justin/Bobby's grooming abound until Audrina arrives. Audrina may not always seem like the sharpest tack, but something tells me she knew exactly what they were saying. Anyway, Lauren mentions that their lease is up in a few months, and what were Audrina's plans? Duly put on the spot, Audrina panics a little when Lo and Lauren mention looking at houses. They eventually get her off the hook when they invite her to live together. Audrina looks relieved, but the awkwardness? Looks like it might be here to stay.