Willa is now 21 and is in college. Her boyfriend, Derek, is 23 and finishing his degree this year, but Willa has one more year to go. For Easter weekend, Derek flies them to visit Willa’s family. It’s Willa’s first time flying. Derek takes care of everything at the airport because Willa doesn’t know what to do. 

While awaiting their flight, Derek brings up asking Willa’s parents for her hand in marriage. Willa is taken aback, but Derek tells Willa he’s in love with her and has known for a long time that he wants to marry her. Derek already has a job lined up in California, and he wants Willa to be there with him when he starts. She’s looking forward to a year of intensive focus on linguistics. When Willa explains this, Derek doubts her willingness to marry him. Willa reassures him but is concerned about leaving her specialized program and her scholarship at their current school. Derek brushes this off, suggesting she can get another scholarship. Willa asks if he’s mad, but he knows she’ll change her mind. 

On the plane, Willa takes the middle seat because she’s smaller than Derek. A man sits on the other side of Willa.