Nothing Like the Movies

Content Warning: This section discusses mental health conditions (including post-traumatic stress disorder), alcohol abuse, the death of a parent, and grief.

On New Year’s Eve, Wes Bennett attends a party with his friends. It’s the first time he’s gone out since his dad, Stuart Bennett, died and he dropped out of UCLA to move home to Omaha, Nebraska. He hasn’t spent much time with his friends since his and Liz Buxbaum’s breakup either, and they haven’t been in touch. He’s shocked when she shows up at the party. Overcome by memories, Wes doesn’t know how to interact with her. He’s even more surprised when their friends make a bet about them kissing and Liz takes it. Wes dismisses himself from the group, afraid that if he and Liz interact, they’ll end up getting back together. He tells himself that ignoring her is the best decision for Liz.

Wes wakes up in his UCLA dorm on the first day of classes and goes for a run. He still can’t believe that he’s back in California after everything that happened in the past two years. He thinks about how things have changed during his run and feels ready to start over.