In August 2016, on the first day of senior year, Sloane Hart, an aspiring writer, rushes from her apartment to catch the campus shuttle. A man holds the door for her and introduces himself as Ethan Brady, a communications major who lives in her building. They talk about his Yankees T-shirt, which sparks a conversation about her New York ambitions, and they realize they are neighbors.

Sloane returns home and tells her roommates—best friend, Lauren Ellis, and Jordan Coleman—about meeting Ethan. She flashes back to her parents’ divorce and a past relationship with an ex-boyfriend, Carter. The roommates speculate about the chemistry between Sloane and Ethan before getting ready for a night out at Jerry’s, a local bar.

From Ethan’s perspective that same day, he sits in public speaking class thinking about his easy connection with Sloane. He reflects on his tendency to avoid serious relationships with girls he respects. After class, he meets his best friend, Graham Clark, and their roommate Jake. The friends grab breakfast and discuss plans for the night. Ethan belongs to Pi Kappa Alpha and hopes to run into Sloane at Jerry’s or a fraternity pregame.

On the first night of senior year, Sloane, Lauren, and Jordan have drinks before meeting friends at Jerry’s. Inside, Sloane sees Ethan, who buys her a drink and introduces Graham and Jake to her group. Lauren and Graham have immediate chemistry, and the groups merge.

They all return to Sloane’s apartment for drinking games. In her bedroom, Sloane finds Ethan looking at a framed family photo. She explains the picture and shares more about her parents’ divorce. Their private conversation leads to their first kiss, a moment that feels different and more intimate than any she has had before.

By September, several weeks into the semester, Lauren and Graham are dating. The group heads to a Pi Kappa Alpha jersey party, and Sloane sits on Ethan’s lap during the crowded carpool. At the party, she sees Jordan leaving with a guy named Pat. Graham introduces her to his fraternity brother, Reese Thompson.

Feeling overstimulated, Sloane decides to leave, and Ethan convinces her to go to his apartment. They clean his messy place, and on the balcony, Sloane discusses her anxiety and how she uses writing to cope, while Ethan talks about his interest in coaching. They watch Shameless, kiss, and fall asleep after he tells her he trusts her. Sloane slips out in the morning, recognizing her feelings for him are growing.

The next morning, Ethan wakes alone, disappointed, and texts Sloane. He then heads to a fraternity volleyball tournament with his friends. When he spots Sloane chatting with Reese, he becomes distracted by jealousy, and his team loses. Afterward in the kitchen, a pledge mentions Ethan went home with Sloane, and Reese overhears the comment.

Ethan, Sloane, Lauren, and Graham leave to get food at Jerry’s. In Graham’s Jeep, Ethan places his hand on Sloane’s leg; she removes it. His jealousy and distraction create strain.

In October, Sloane anxiously finishes a creative writing midterm, stressed about her ambitions to work in New York publishing. After class, her mother calls to say she has checked Sloane’s grades online, which heightens her stress. With her roommates away for fall break, Sloane invites Ethan over. He arrives with vodka, and they watch a movie and grow intimate.

They have sex for the first time and spend the weekend together. After break, the group reunites at Dockside, where Lauren announces she is in love with Graham. Sloane tells her friends she spent the weekend with Ethan, acknowledging that her feelings for him are growing.

Over Thanksgiving break, Ethan watches Sloane leave town and spends the holiday alone. He gets high, orders takeout, and avoids thinking about his family. He admits to himself that he doesn’t like to talk about his feelings and hates the holidays. He insists that he doesn’t need anyone to be there for him though he’d like to be there for Sloane.

When Sloane texts that she is returning early after arguing with her mother, Ethan asks Lauren for a list of Sloane’s favorite snacks. Ethan buys the snacks and wine, then cleans his apartment. When Sloane arrives upset, he comforts her with the gifts. His actions show care, though he avoids discussing his own family issues.

In December, Sloane prepares for the Pike (short for Pi Kappa Alpha) Last Day of Classes holiday party and talks with Lauren about her undefined relationship with Ethan. At the party, Sloane sees Ethan give his number to a girl named Olivia. Sloane confronts them, sparking an argument with Ethan. He emphasizes he doesn’t have a girlfriend, a comment that hurts Sloane and highlights his public distance. He convinces her to leave with him so they can talk when they’re sober.

The next morning, they both apologize. Sloane asks him to define their relationship. Ethan says he doesn’t know how to label it but likes being with her, placating her. She notices he uses her first name in tense moments, which feels colder than their usual intimacy.

In January, during a weekend at Graham’s family cabin in Asheville, the grandeur of the home highlights the differences between Graham’s and Ethan’s backgrounds. In the hot tub, a game of “Never Have I Ever” leads Ethan to admit he cheated in a past relationship. Upset, Sloane goes inside and cries. Ethan follows, and they argue about her reaction and their undefined status before going to bed feeling distant.

Sloane wakes in the night and finds Ethan on the porch. He says the house feels suffocating and reminds him of the perfect family he never had. Sloane comforts him, recognizing the house has triggered something.

Ethan cannot sleep and leaves the bedroom to study a wall of family photos. A high school graduation picture triggers memories of his mother’s absence. He sits on the porch with whiskey and reflects on the past. Sloane joins him and asks if he is okay. Ethan recognizes Sloane is falling in love with him and decides he cannot return her feelings. Part of him wants to connect with her, but he’s afraid she pities him. The family photos crystallize what he feels he lacks, and he resolves to end the relationship.