Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

Arend is seventeen, lives with his parents, and has not come out of the closet. He begins considering a first step into the gay world of love.

Arend Lives With Parents — Arend is seventeen and lives with his parents. Characters: Arend Location: Arend's home
Arend Remains Closeted — Arend has not yet come out of the closet. Characters: Arend Location: Arend's home
A First Step Toward Love — Arend begins his first step into the gay world of love. Characters: Arend Location: Unspecified

Arend enters a gay dating site and meets Michael there. Their online contact develops into an arrangement to meet.

Gay Dating Site — Arend uses a gay dating site to enter the dating world. Characters: Arend Location: Gay dating site
Arend Meets Michael Online — Arend meets Michael through a gay dating site. Characters: Arend, Michael Location: Gay dating site
The Date Is Arranged — Arend and Michael arrange to meet for a date. Characters: Arend, Michael Location: Online communication

Arend commits to the planned date and travels to the other side of the country. The distance emphasizes the importance he places on the meeting.

Arend Commits To The Journey — Arend decides to travel to meet Michael in person. Characters: Arend Location: Arend's departure point
Cross-Country Travel — Arend ventures to the other side of the country for the date. Characters: Arend Location: Across the country
The Planned Meeting — Arend and Michael meet after arranging the date online. Characters: Arend, Michael Location: Arranged meeting place

Arend finally meets Michael in person. He discovers that Michael is not quite what he imagined, complicating this first romantic step.

Michael Differs From Expectation — Arend discovers that Michael is not quite what he imagined. Characters: Arend, Michael Location: Arranged meeting place
Expectation Meets Reality — The in-person meeting challenges Arend's expectations of Michael. Characters: Arend, Michael Location: Arranged meeting place
An Unanticipated First Date — Arend's first romantic step ends with an unexpected impression of Michael. Characters: Arend, Michael Location: Arranged meeting place

Story Breakdown

Hidden Identity — Arend's home life establishes his age, family setting, and undisclosed sexuality.
- Living With Parents — Arend is seventeen and lives with his parents.
- Not Yet Out — Arend has not come out of the closet.
First Romantic Step — Arend begins moving toward the gay world of love.
- Entering Gay Dating — The dating experience becomes Arend's first step into gay romance.
- Seeking Connection — Arend uses an online dating site to seek a date.
Online Encounter — Arend's digital contact with Michael creates the opportunity for an in-person meeting.
- Meeting Michael — Arend meets Michael through a gay dating site.
- Arranging The Date — Arend and Michael arrange to meet.
Cross-Country Journey — Arend undertakes a major journey to turn the online connection into a real date.
- Leaving Home — Arend ventures away from home for the meeting.
- Reaching The Meeting — He travels to the other side of the country to meet Michael.
Unexpected Reality — The in-person meeting overturns Arend's assumptions about Michael.
- Meeting In Person — Arend and Michael meet after their online arrangement.
- Changed Expectations — Arend discovers that Michael is not quite what he imagined.