Laura's assessment of herself as being "socially retarded" is also applicable to Howie. Both bespectacled characters are emotionally and physically immature, making them vulnerable to their peers. Their relationship evolves into a genuine friendship that deepens significantly because of the hardships they share. The thought of being forced together for sex is overwhelming and embarrassing to both of them. Howie notices "the patch of pubic hair" on Laura's lower abdomen and concludes she is more mature since the guys tease him, calling him "Baldy" because he has no pubic hair yet. Confronting each other's unclothed bodies makes them feel vulnerable, and grounds their relationship in a genuine desire to protect each other by fleeing from those who have ridiculed them.

Both Laura and Howie already suffer from rejection before their traumatic hazing at Camp Tall Pine. Howie's parents are older than the norm when...