The Universe Only Gets Colder

The summer after high school graduation was supposed to be a time of freedom and new beginnings for Luca, Matteo, and Sophie. Instead, they find themselves entangled in a web of hidden feelings, painful truths, and life-altering decisions.

Luca is in love with his close friend, Matteo. But Matteo, unable to admit his own conflicted romantic and sexual feelings, falls into a relationship that introduces him to drugs. His mixed signals and unrequited love leave Luca in a constant state of confusion and heartache. When Luca confronts Matteo about his drug use, Matteo accuses Luca of jealousy and cuts him off. Later, Matteo's struggle with addiction culminates in a tragic overdose, leaving Luca devastated and haunted by the question of Matteo's true feelings, a mystery he may never solve.

Meanwhile, Sophie, a devout Muslim and Luca's best friend, discovers her own heart's longing during a summer performance of "A Midsummer Night's Dream." Falling for Grace, Sophie faces the challenge of coming out to her conservative family.

Told through the perspectives of Luca, Matteo, and Sophie, this story is a tale of love, identity, and the devastating consequences of unresolved emotions. Amid their struggles, the phrase "It's the second law" echoes-a cryptic mantra that, like life, reveals its meaning only with time. This narrative explores the complexities of love and friendship in the face of life's inevitable changes.