Before Chapter 1 begins, a short, italicized section of text is set apart on an empty page. The three paragraphs describe a group of girls making “each other beautiful” (1) in Jenny’s room while her roommate is away.

Chapter 1 opens on Haley, a college freshman, whose phone is going off loudly, waking her from a nap. On the phone, Haley’s mother is frustrated with her; Haley struggles to respond, feeling like “her thoughts take shape in molasses” (3). As Haley’s mother tries to get her to take action, Haley thinks about the past 24 hours: she got a concussion at the Saturday soccer game and had gotten treatment at her coach’s request.

This is Haley’s third concussion, and Haley’s mother is worried that she won’t be allowed to keep playing. Despite her pounding headache, Haley manages to avoid telling her mother that the Coach said Haley won’t being able to play anymore for the season as a result of the concussion. When Haley’s roommate, Jenny, comes back to their room, Haley gets off the phone with her mom, feeling overwhelmed.

Though Haley’s friends think of Jenny as a “mouse,” Haley likes living with Jenny, feeling that they cohabitate well.