Months later, school has finished and Connell arrives at Trinity College, Dublin. He has found a room in a house-share and meets his new housemate Niall. Despite his efforts, he feels out of place and struggles to articulate himself when surrounded by his eloquent and wealthy peers.

Connell joins Marianne's social circle but doesn't fit in. He apologises for how he treated her; she reconsiders her relationship with her new boyfriend, Gareth.