A lot can happen in twelve hours.
-- Aidan (Prologue)

Importance: In the opening prologue of the novel, the author establishes the primary stakes for the narrative. By way of Aidan's line of dialogue, Smith is introducing the temporal parameters for the novel, too. The young couple only has 12 hours remaining before they are to say goodbye and leave home for college. Therefore, the narrative tension is inspired by the couple's last night tonight together, and the limited amount of time that they have to share.

And this—this plan for their last night together—was supposed to be the one thing she could control.
-- Narrator (chapter 1)

Importance: Just hours before the start of the novel, Clare has begun to panic about saying goodbye to the people and the places that she loves. She therefore designs her list of activities as a way to say goodbye to her town, her friends, and her boyfriend. The list is...