What first draws Lauren and Ryan together, and how do they define love and intimacy when they first start seeing one another? How might their perspectives on love be inspired by their youth and inexperience?

What events lead to Lauren and Ryan’s separation? How do these events create tension and accelerate the pacing in anticipation of the couple’s time apart?

How does Lauren’s first-person perspective influence the narrative? Are her descriptions of her marital problems wholly reliable and accurate? Why or why not? Use specific examples from the text to support your interpretation.