Protagonist Katherine Danziger and her best friend, Erica, attend a New Year’s party at the house of Erica’s cousin, Sybil. Katherine explains that Sybil is sexually experienced and has a genius IQ, and that Erica believes Sybil craves sexual attention because she is insecure about her weight.

As Katherine takes a bite of fondue at the party, a boy reaches over with a napkin and asks if Katherine wants him to wipe off her chin. Katherine responds sarcastically, even after the boy introduces himself as Michael Wagner. Erica intervenes, telling Michael Katherine’s name, and Katherine has the urge to reach out and touch the mole on Michael’s cheek. Katherine distracts herself by talking to another boy at the party, Fred, whom she is not really interested in. As Fred talks, Katherine thinks about Michael and hopes that he goes to college somewhere nearby, like Rutgers. At midnight, Fred kisses Katherine, and she watches Michael kiss another girl at the party, Elizabeth.

Katherine and Erica stay the night at Sybil’s, and as they get into bed, Erica mentions that Michael seems like a nice guy and insinuates that Katherine likes him.