In Avi's Nothing But the Truth, the first time Allison Doresett sits with Philip on the bus, he has just found out that he cannot be on the track team unless he can get his grade changed in English. Philip doesn't want to talk to Miss Narwin about doing extra work, so he is in a bad mood. When Allison asks him why he didn't try out for the track team, he shuts down, and she gets up and leaves.

Later, Allison tells her friend Janet that she was going to sit with Phil on the bus because she kind of likes him, but she changed her mind. Janet asks her why, and Allison tells her that  Philip is usually a funny, nice guy; but on that particular day he was angry about something. She later finds out what Philip is trying to do to Miss Narwin, and that is the end of their friendship.