Summary

In Part I, Chapter 7, 12 years prior to the narrative present, Niall approaches Franny while she is working. When he asks why she has not been attending his class, she ignores him. Another day, she sees him feeding birds in a campus courtyard. A few weeks later, she sees him birdwatching by the water. Through his binoculars she sees two boys struggling in a small boat. Seeing the storm coming in, Franny panics and swims out towards them. Though the water is freezing and fierce, she drags them to safety. Niall meets them on shore. When he tries talking to Franny, she leaves. Afterwards, Franny drinks at home. In the middle of the night, Niall shows up at her door with alcohol and NUI enrollment papers. They banter; Franny asks why he came. He says: "Because you and I are going to...