In early March, Ember spends a weekend ignoring Josh’s calls. When he arrives at her apartment, she refuses to let him in. Speaking through the door, Josh admits that he’s in the National Guard. Considering their relationship impossible, Ember collapses in grief after he leaves.

The following Monday, Ember avoids Josh in their shared history class. After class, he confronts her on the university quad. He explains that he joined the Guard to pay for college after his mother became ill and reveals that upon graduation, he’ll be commissioned as a career officer in the Army. Devastated by the parallels to her father’s military career, Ember gives Josh a final kiss goodbye and ends their relationship.

Three weeks later, Ember and Sam attend Josh’s championship hockey game. After Josh scores the winning goal, he skates to the glass partition where Ember is standing, and they press their palms together on either side of the glass. Later that evening, they exchange text messages professing their love, but Ember remains firm in her decision not to be with a soldier.

That night, Ember hears a rhythmic pounding from Josh’s apartment. Assuming that he’s with another woman, she cries herself to sleep. The following Monday in class, a student openly flirts with Josh.