Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?

Connie is a self-conscious 15-year-old living with a jealous, appearance-obsessed mother and a distant, busy father. The mother constantly compares her to her plain, hardworking sister, fueling Connie's sense of insecurity. This tense family dynamic forms the backdrop for Connie's yearning for independence and excitement.

Connie enjoys going out with friends to the mall and to a drive-in restaurant where older kids hang out. She savors the feeling of being alive and connected to youth culture. This day sets the stage for her encounter with Arnold.

While at the drive-in, Connie first sees Arnold Friend, a stranger in a gold convertible covered with cryptic writing. He targets her, muttering 'Gonna get you, baby' as she turns away. The unsettling impression he leaves foreshadows the danger to come.

A while later, Connie's family goes to a Sunday barbecue, leaving her home alone. She relishes the solitude, listening to music and savoring the feeling of simply being alive. The house becomes a stage for what will unfold next.

A car pulls up on the driveway and Arnold Friend arrives, inviting Connie to come along with him and a friend. He asserts that her family won't be home for a while, signaling a breach of safety and privacy. Connie is initially unsure, sensing something off.

Connie asks how old he is; he deflects, finally claiming he is 18, though she suspects he could be much older. He says he has been asking around about her, and that her family’s absence makes the ride possible. This exchange heightens Connie's fear and doubt.

Arnold declares he is her lover and refuses to leave until she agrees to come with him. He makes it clear that resistance will have consequences and that she should come with him. Connie tells the men to leave and threatens to call the police, but the danger keeps growing.

Connie retreats inside her house and tries to call the police, but a strange 'wailing' overwhelms her and prevents her from dialing. The ominous voices outside persist, closing the gap between safety and harm. The moment marks a turning point where fear overrides action.

Arnold repeats his threats, implying he would hurt Connie's family if she refuses to go with him. He uses a calm, menacing tone to blur the line between coercion and romance. The tension tightens as Connie feels trapped.

Overwhelmed with emotion, Connie stops resisting and seems to surrender to the situation. She begins to accept what is coming rather than fighting back. The submission is chilling, underscoring the predatory nature of Arnold's manipulation.

Connie finally exits the house and approaches the waiting car with Arnold and his friend. She feels nothing as she steps into the vehicle, her sense of self dulled by fear and coercion. The scene marks the turning point from concern to a literal abduction.

Connie climbs into the gold convertible and joins the two men, stepping into a new world of danger. The car and Arnold's unsettling calm convey the looming threat, while the cryptic writings on the car serve as a chilling symbol of control. The summary ends as she enters the vehicle.