Marianne and Connell go to the same school, in a small town in the west of Ireland. He is loved and popular there. She is lonely, proud and intimidating. Unexpectedly, a strange, indelible bond develops between the two teenagers. They are both determined to hide this. A year later they both study in Dublin. Marianne has found her place in a new social world, but Connell is shy and insecure on the sidelines.