Volume III: Table of Contents

Michael in the dark wood: Michael writes alone in his room on Valentine's Day, then looks out into the dark wood. He realizes that he his half-way through his freshman year of college and has had no real experiences.

“Everything was fucked”: Helen is console by her friends Jessica and Roxy as she recovers from a bout of tears brought on by being dumped by her boyfriend.

Tim returns to the tower and sees Amy in the lounge: Tim returns to his dorm after going to buy groceries; he is intentionally rude to his friend Amy and then hide in his room, filled with remorse.

Helen remembers what made her cry: Helen flashes back to what triggered her bout of tears-hearing a song that reminded her of the previous summer and a time when things had been good between her and Todd.

Michael thinks about his section leader, Helen: Michael thinks about the section leader of his American Fiction class, whom he has fallen hopelessly in love with.

Helen tells the story of how she and Todd broke up: Helen recounts to Roxy and Jessica the story of how she broke up with Todd. After that Roxy leaves and Jessica goes to bed. Helen realizes her cat has fleas, then prepares to go to bed as well.

Tim late at night: Tim wanders the dorm late at night, hoping to find people still partying, to reclaim the night. Filled with regret that he stormed out and missed all of the fun. He thought he was over that. Tim is bitter than he put in a lot of effort into the chain party but didn’t get to reap the rewards. Makes him remember buying alcohol for April and her friends, and feeling used. Becomes weary of himself. Andy and his friends want Tim to perform—like play air guitar or something. Tim refuses, and after tense interaction with Andy and his drunk friends, leaves. Once he is back in his room he feels himself falling into a void.

Helen is woken up by Gretchen coming home: The squeak of the door opening woke Helen. Her roommate Gretchen was home. That quarter Jessica had the single; not that it was doing her much good. She hadn’t dated anyone since Ellery the previous summer, and seemed a bit...

Michael dreams of pursuit by formless shapes: Michael dreams of pursuit by formless shapes, evil agents of negation. He wakes, badly shaken.

Michael overhears Tim in the bathroom: Michael wakes after a night of bad dreams. He goes to the bathroom and overhears a conversation between two of his hall-mates. One of them, Tim Page, says something that intrigues Michael.

Helen sees a guy who reminds her of Todd: Helen sees a guy who reminds her of Todd and thinks about what it will be like whe she actually sees him. Wonders if she should hang out with him pre-emptively, but it turns into a fantasy of them getting back together.

Tim goes to the bookstore to buy the novel of Crazy For Love: Tim goes to the bookstore to buy the novel Crazy For Love, which he needs to read for his Current American Fiction class, A strange old lady tells him there is still one copy, but it's buried in a huge stack of returns. Tim searches the shelves, then finds it, but has to battle Peak for it once he does. Tim surprises himself with his aggressiveness.

Helen walks to her meeting with Joseph Harkes: Helen walks to her 11am meeting with Joseph Harkes and thinks about her relationship with her professor, and how she got to become a section leader.

Jessica stops by Tim’s room: Jessica stops by Tim's room after he gets back from buying Crazy For Love. They have a conversation which starts awkwardly but gets better as Tim realizes that she's not going to castigate him for not hanging out with Helen.

Helen meets with Joseph Harkes: Helen meets with Joseph Harkes and is forced to admit to him that she hasn't finished reviewing her section's papers.

Michael attends Helen’s section: Michael watches Helen conduct section and wants to participate, say something so compelling she will take notice of him.

Helen teaches section (NFFN version): Helen conducts section as they discuss the Melville short story "Bartleby the Scrivener." Michael speaks for the first time, but his words do not find favor with the other people in the section, including Maria Gatellis and Peak.

Helen conducts section (HSZ version): Helen teaches section, leading a discussion of China Men. A mention of Hawaii triggers a memory for her of stopping over there when she and her mother left Guam. She is aware of Michael's eyes on her. Michael tries to join the discussion but gets shot down by Peak.

Helen conducts section, can’t prevent Michael from being dissed: The conversation in Helen's section turns Raymond Carver. Maria Gatellis and Michael get in an argument about education and meaning in texts, but the section turns against Michael and Peak disses him. Helen feels helpless to stop the discussion going bad and feels irritation at Michael being clueless.

Tim walks back from Contemporary American Fiction: Tim walks back from class, thinking about how he ended up where he is. He remembers wigging out during the Valentine’s Day chain party. Also dreams of creative success and freedom.

Helen meets Roxy for coffee at the Fremont College coffee shop: Helen has coffee with Roxy at Fremont College. Helen tells Roxy about Michael's crush on her, they discuss relationships in Santa Zita. Helen asks Roxy if she wants to see Crazy For Love.