Xavy Fereira and Jeff Kimberk are freshman at Harvard University who reluctantly become friends after learning that they’re both born on the same day, February 2nd— Groundhog Day. After they both spend some extended time at Harvard, they move-in together into a small unfurnished boarding house where they stay until they move into their own apartment in Somerville. During Labor Day weekend, “peripheral acquaintances” of Xavy and Jeff’s stay over. One of these acquaintances, Susannah, a pianist from West Virginia looking for a job in Boston, makes quite an impression on both Xavy and Jeff. After all the house-guests leave, and after moving-in to their own apartment, Xavy and Jeff each buying characteristic furnishings for their rooms, Xavy phones Susannah to come over for dinner with him and Jeff. Jeff, surprised by Susannah’s unexpected visit and Xavy having Susannah’s number, is quiet for most of the evening save for the time he and Susannah spend discussing classical music. Jeff then heads to the library leaving Xavy and Susannah alone. Xavy and Susannah sleep with each other, but Susannah reacts guardedly and inexplicably afterwards and asks Jeff to take her home when he returned from the library, leaving Xavy in one of his worst depressions he’d experienced yet.