Content Warning: This section of the guide discusses racist behavior, a relationship with an imbalanced power dynamic, depression, thoughts of self-harm and suicidal ideation, and accidental animal death.

In 2017, Agatha Paul, a white journalist, is a visiting professor in nonfiction and cultural studies at the University of Arkansas. She arrives at Belgrade Dormitory, the university’s residence for scholarship and transfer students, to interview three undergraduate residents for a book she is writing about wedding culture. Agatha meets Millie Cousins, a Black resident assistant (RA) who leads her to the resident lounge and brings in the respondents: Tyler Hanna, a junior, Jenna Saddler, a sophomore, and Casey, a senior.

After asking an initial round of questions about weddings, Agatha is compelled to follow up on statements the girls make about their access to money. Jenna shares that she receives a “practice paycheck” from her father while also working at the alumni services office for her “fun money.” Tyler adds that all three of them have scholarships.

When Jenna describes a friend’s wedding idea as “ghetto,” Agatha asks what she means. The girls are unable to define it but contextualize the word further by using it to describe broken phone screens and wedding after parties.