August spots an ad for a spare room in Flatbush and decides to apply. The novel opens with her meeting Niko, a tattooed boy, at the advertised apartment. It’s furnished oddly, with many college staples—mismatched furniture and a well-loved couch—and also a high-end Eames chair that seems out of place. A marshmallow sculpture of Judy Garland sits in the corner.

Niko is a psychic and asks to touch her hand. He says that she’s interesting and then asks if she can move in on Thursday. Myla—another one of the roommates—pokes her head out, and August learns that she and Niko are dating. August learns that they have another roommate, Wes, who has a dog named Noodles.

August is moving to New York because she just transferred to Brooklyn College. She decides to take the apartment because she needs to find both a place to live and a job.

When she moves in, she FaceTimes her mom. Together, they remember the apartment where they lived in New Orleans. August asks if she’s spoken to the detective today, and her mom alludes to him not opening a case back up. She changes the subject to ask about August’s new roommates.