The Kissing Booth 2 (2020) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Elle decides to apply to Harvard after visiting Noah in Boston and realizing she wants to be closer to him. During her college interview, an interviewer tells her she should embrace her true self instead of conforming to someone else's expectations, which resonates with Elle and pushes her to reconsider her plans. Noah had previously encouraged her to apply, and her visit to his college environment makes her see a potential future together at Harvard.

Foreshadowing: Earlier in the film, Noah urges Elle to consider applying to Harvard, planting the seed for this decision.

• harvard application
• college decision
• elle college

The earring belongs to Chloe Winthrop, the British girl Noah befriended while at Harvard. Elle discovers it during her visit to Boston and becomes suspicious of Noah's fidelity. However, when confronted, Noah reassures her that nothing romantic happened between him and Chloe, and the earring is simply a result of Chloe visiting their dorm room as part of their friend group.

Foreshadowing: The film establishes early on that Noah has formed a close friendship with Chloe through social media, which triggers Elle's jealousy.

• earring
• chloe
• noah cheating suspicion

Elle kisses Marco during their dance competition performance because their undeniable chemistry, built up throughout the film during their arcade rivalry and dance practice, reaches a breaking point. The kiss happens spontaneously at the climax of their performance, just as Noah watches from the audience, forcing Elle to confront her true feelings for both boys.

Foreshadowing: Their rivalry at the arcade and Marco stepping in as her dance partner after Lee's injury had been building romantic tension between them.

• elle marco kiss
• dance competition
• love triangle

Rachel breaks up with Lee because she feels he never gave her the space she needed in their relationship. Throughout the film, Elle is overly involved in Lee and Rachel's relationship, constantly meddling and creating obstacles. Lee fails to stand up for Rachel or prioritize her needs, leading Rachel to realize their relationship isn't working and decide to leave him.

Foreshadowing: Early scenes show Elle constantly interfering with Lee and Rachel's dates and conversations, creating tension between the couple.

• rachel lee breakup
• relationship issues

The film ends ambiguously with Elle opening acceptance letters from both Berkeley and Harvard. She's shown holding both envelopes, forcing her to make a life-altering decision between staying close to her best friend Lee at Berkeley or following Noah to Harvard. The movie doesn't explicitly reveal which choice she makes, leaving the ending open for interpretation.

Foreshadowing: The entire film builds toward this decision, with Elle torn between her relationship with Noah and her friendship with Lee throughout the story.

• college choice
• berkeley
• harvard
• ending

Elle becomes jealous of Chloe because Noah strikes up a close friendship with her through social media while at Harvard. Since they're in a long-distance relationship, Elle already feels insecure about their romance surviving the distance. Seeing Noah form a meaningful connection with another girl, especially the charming British Chloe, triggers Elle's fears that their relationship is doomed.

Foreshadowing: The film opens with rumors among Elle's classmates that her romance with Noah is fated to fail, heightening her insecurities.

• chloe
• jealousy
• noah friendship

Elle visits Noah in Boston because she's feeling insecure about their long-distance relationship and wants to see him. During this visit, she meets his new college friends, including Chloe, which ironically intensifies her jealousy. The trip also includes her Harvard interview, which becomes a pivotal moment for her personal growth and college decision.

Foreshadowing: Noah has been urging Elle to visit and has been pushing her to apply to Harvard, making this trip both romantic and consequential.

• boston visit
• harvard interview

Elle and Lee join the $50,000 dance competition to help fund their college education. Financial pressures loom over their college dreams, and the competition offers a substantial prize that could cover tuition costs. This decision brings Marco into the picture as Elle's dance partner when Lee gets injured, adding romantic complexity to their partnership.

Foreshadowing: Early scenes establish that both Elle and Lee need financial support for college, making the competition an attractive opportunity.

• dance competition
• 50k prize
• college money

Lee and Rachel reconcile at the carnival during the kissing booth event. After their breakup at Thanksgiving, Lee finally shows growth by giving Rachel the space she needed. Rachel sees his genuine effort and accepts his apology, leading to a tender reconciliation kiss at the booth, giving their relationship a second chance.

Foreshadowing: The carnival represents a fresh start for all the characters, with Lee demonstrating changed behavior toward Rachel.

• lee rachel reconcile
• carnival
• kissing booth

Noah brings Chloe to Thanksgiving dinner as his date, which creates tension with Elle. This decision appears retaliatory after Elle reveals she applied to Harvard without discussing it with him. The confrontation highlights the growing distance and miscommunication in their relationship, with both feeling hurt by the other's choices.

Foreshadowing: Earlier tensions about Elle's college decisions and Noah's friendship with Chloe converge at this family gathering.

• thanksgiving
• chloe
• noah date

Lee gets upset when he discovers Elle secretly applied to Berkeley alongside Harvard. Since they had planned to attend Berkeley together (where their mothers originally bonded), Lee feels betrayed that Elle kept the Harvard application hidden from him. This reveals the underlying tension in their friendship regarding Elle's changing priorities and relationship with Noah.

Foreshadowing: The film establishes early that Elle and Lee planned to attend Berkeley together, making this betrayal particularly painful for Lee.

• college applications
• lee friendship
• berkeley plan

Elle and Noah's relationship remains uncertain by the film's end. While they reconnect when Elle finds Noah at the park where they first kissed, the ambiguous college decision ultimately tests whether they'll stay together. Noah admits his insecurities about Elle being far away, but the choice between Harvard and Berkeley determines if they'll continue their relationship.

Foreshadowing: The entire film builds tension around whether their long-distance relationship can survive the physical and emotional distance.

• elle noah breakup
• relationship ending
• long distance