Eleven summers earlier, after freshman year ends, Bonnie gives Poppy the number of a southern Ohio student who can carpool home with her. Poppy is surprised to find that the driver is Alex, the quiet boy from Linfield she met at orientation. The first part of the drive is tense and silent because Alex is stressed by traffic and noise, while Poppy is uncomfortable with the quiet and keeps trying to fill it.

Once traffic eases, Alex hands Poppy the aux cable, and their awkwardness turns into teasing conversation about music and pet peeves. Poppy learns that Alex hates Christmas music, saxophones, and song covers, while Poppy insists that she likes almost everything. Their debate leads into a longer exchange about childhood habits, movies, chain restaurants, running, khakis, Linfield, and countless specific annoyances and preferences, and the very act of trading these opinions makes them relax around each other.

As the drive continues, Poppy notices that Alex is much stranger, funnier, and more open than she first assumed. Alex admits that themed parties and shopping overwhelm him because too many choices make him anxious, and Poppy offers to take him shopping for a future costume. When Joni Mitchell comes on, Alex reveals that he sings "A Case of You" at karaoke, and that confession prompts them to make another plan together: going to karaoke sometime that summer.

By the time they leave the city behind, the car ride has become easy and joyful. Poppy and Alex sing loudly together, and Poppy realizes she likes this more expressive side of Alex. Near the end of the drive, Poppy asks how Alex feels about traveling; although he has not seen much of the world, Alex decides that he would love it, and Poppy agrees, quietly establishing a shared desire that will matter to their future friendship.