In Sundquist’s senior year, his best friend at the church youth group is Evelyn Williamson. Evelyn has early onset rheumatoid arthritis, a condition that causes her joints to swell up and makes playing sports uncomfortable. As a result of their disabilities, Sundquist and Evelyn know what it is like to sit on the sidelines on sports pitches. There is a flirtatious dynamic between them, but Sundquist will not make a move owing to Evelyn’s on-off relationship with her boyfriend Mason.

Sundquist, nominated for prom king, worries about dancing with his prosthesis because it makes him too stiff. He needs a date for the dance and asks Evelyn. Although Evelyn is still in her on-off relationship with Mason, she accepts. He fantasizes about being her boyfriend, but cannot tell her the truth about how he feels.

Sundquist prepares for prom by renting a tux and buying Evelyn a corsage with the money his mother has given him. On the way to Evelyn’s house he has a panic attack and arrives sweaty. In the car, Evelyn says that she is thinking of applying to Virginia Tech—Mason’s college—and that they may get back together. Sundquist thinks that his chances with Evelyn rest on what happens at prom.