Hal, a college-aged man, waits for Eleanor, who he calls Ellie, at the library on campus. She is always late, and he knows this. The two are dating and have been since before winter break. They have planned to study together, and Hal has a philosophy exam later that week. When Ellie asks Hal how the exam which he already had earlier that day went, Hal responds terrible because, though he was at the library with Ellie all week, he had not been able to focus. He can tell Ellie is upset with this response, and he hopes she will not cry, as she usually does. Hal attempts to study again but feels Ellie staring at him, not paying attention to her own reading. He knows that she wants to hold his hand, but he resists the urge because then he will not be able to write. The two are constantly touching at the knees and getting distracted by each other. Finally, Hal tells Ellie that he is going to take her home because he needs to study by himself. Ellie pretends not to be upset, but Hal knows that she will cry after he is gone. Hal walks Ellie to the girls' dormitory, and she tells him that she will call him tomorrow so they can decide if they should study alone then. Hal almost believes Ellie but knows she will beg him to study with him again tomorrow. He hugs her goodbye, but she refuses to let go, digging her nails into him so he cannot escape, just like she does after sex. The two kiss, and Hal thinks about how they have not had sex in four day. It is too late for him to go into the girls' dormitory, and Ellie is ashamed to go to Hal's room. So they go to the cars and find a station wagon to have sex in. Hal hears the bell chime for nine o'clock and becomes frustrated, violently ripping off Ellie's shirt. She tries to push Hal off of her, but he tells her to stop and keeps going. Ellie begins to cry.