Elio hears the American slang expression “Later!” and is reminded of hearing it for the first time many years before, in Italy. Throughout Elio’s youth, his parents hosted academics working on their manuscripts at their summer home in Italy, a place referred to as “B.”

One summer, an American man named Oliver stays with the family. Elio is perturbed by how much he wants to win over Oliver and is put off whenever Oliver declines to do something with Elio. Oliver’s use of “Later!” is such a casual dismissal that Elio wonders what to make of him. Elio’s feelings about Oliver are split between joyful and hateful and are influenced by Oliver’s attention to Elio. As an adult telling this story, Elio realizes that the see-saw of emotions he felt about Oliver were signs of falling in love. But at 17 years old, Elio has a difficult time understanding the ups and downs of having Oliver around.

Elio notices that Oliver stares at him, but sometimes, this stare takes on a glaring tone, confusing Elio further. He and Oliver run and swim together, and Elio, who transcribes music as a hobby, plays the piano for Oliver.