| Director | Tiffany Paulsen |
|---|
One winter day, Barnes Hawthorne smokes marijuana with his friend P.J. and notices Remi Aguilar across the street. Later, while heading to a concert in New York, Barnes sees Remi again at the train station as she prepares to tour Columbia University. They strike up a conversation on the train about their future plans; Remi hopes to attend Harvard University and become a lawyer like her parents, while Barnes plans an aimless gap year. Remi suggests some other ways he can spend his time, such as volunteering with sea turtles or working for a music group, while Barnes shows her a Talking Heads playlist. When they reach their stop, Barnes asks Remi out on a date, but she is struck by a cyclist and needs stitches. At the hospital, Remi gently declines the date, explaining that he is not someone she wants to let into her life at the moment, and they part ways.
Months later, in the spring, Remi attends her senior prom with a friend, while Barnes goes with his ex-girlfriend. They unexpectedly reconnect after both of their dates ditch them. Remembering Barnes' playlist, they dance to "Burning Down the House," but when a slow song comes on, Barnes suggests they leave for sushi. After dinner, Barnes takes Remi to his house and, sensing her hesitation, reassures her that he does not expect anything physical. Barnes admits he only went to prom because he wanted to see Remi again, and he is considering volunteering with sea turtles in Costa Rica, inspired by her suggestion. Remi reminds him that she has to leave for Harvard in four months. Undeterred, the two kiss and decide to stay together for the summer.
On the Fourth of July, Remi and Barnes watch Remi's dad paint their house crimson in honor of Remi going to Harvard. Encouraged by Barnes, Remi tells her parents that she and Barnes plan on volunteering in Costa Rica together instead. Her parents react angrily, worried about her future, and ground her. Instead, Remi brushes them off and leaves with Barnes to celebrate the Fourth at a lake house. There, Remi crashes P.J.'s jeep while drunk driving and argues with Barnes that taking a gap year is not the right decision, ultimately ending their three-month-long relationship.
In the fall, Remi is attending Harvard and sees on Instagram that Barnes is in Boston, so she sends him a text. They catch up on campus and admit they miss each other, but agree that their breakup may have been for the best. Remi invites him to a Halloween party, but declines because he has a concert that night, as he is working as an assistant for a band. Encouraged by her friends, Remi crashes into the concert venue, confesses she still has feelings for Barnes, and asks if they can try again despite the challenges. Barnes gently declines, saying they are better off as friends. Remi respects his decision and leaves in tears.
Later, the band encourages Barnes to express his true feelings for Remi, after which he realizes his mistake in turning her down. The band helps Barnes by serenading Remi outside her dorm. Remi comes outside, surprised, and the two share unspoken glances before reuniting with a kiss.