Mia arrives at the hospital in a critical condition with a collapsed lung. As they rush her inside, she learns that her brother is still alive but also in critical condition. She is taken to the roof where a waiting helicopter attempts to medevac her to a larger hospital in Portland with superior trauma care. The helicopter reminds Mia of her best-friend Kim’s account of getting sick while flying with her uncle, a National Geographic photographer, over Mt. St. Helens. Mia, on the other hand, feels nothing, even when the helicopter hits an air pocket. During the flight, Mia thinks about the chaos and confusion on the ground and whether her friends, family, and boyfriend already know about the accident. She sees Mt. Hood in the distance, which means they are nearing Portland. She wonders if Adam is already in Portland and thoughts of Adam trigger a flashback about the beginning of their relationship. 

It was her sophomore year, and Adam, a junior, asked her if she had ever heard of Yo-Yo Ma, a world-famous cellist, which, of course, she had. Adam is also a musician, albeit a rock musician.