In the first chapter, the unnamed protagonist describes how her thought, “I’m thinking of ending things” (1) came into her mind. Once the protagonist has thought this, it is impossible to remove it from her mind. She describes it as feeling both new and old at the same time and isn’t sure what first prompted this thought. She relates a quote from her boyfriend Jake in which Jake says that thoughts are truthful, while actions can be faked. She is worried because the thought may have been there “from the beginning” (1) and therefore the “end” she alludes to is inevitable.

The protagonist and Jake are driving to Jake’s rural childhood home to have dinner with his parents. This is the first time the protagonist will be meeting them as well as the first time that her and Jake have taken a trip together. The protagonist is not excited to meet Jake’s parents. She describes herself as feeling nostalgic, guilty, and distracted because she has the thought of ending things with Jake in her mind. The protagonist has no plans of ever mentioning Jake to her own parents.

Despite the protagonist’s plan to end their relationship, she describes their connection as “a rare and intense attachment.