Once a week Connell goes to Marianne’s house to drive his mother home, Lorraine, who works as a cleaning lady at Marianne's house. In spite of the difference, there is a sort of friendship between them. While Connell waited for his mother to end her job, he was alone with Marianne in the kitchen and had a long conversation about grades and school. At the end of their conversation, Marianne tells Connell that she likes him, but he didn’t hashave the time to respond. Connell got to know that Marianne likes him as more than just a friend. Their relationship began with a kiss, which was Marianne’s first kiss. Connell wanted to keep their relationship in secret because it would be very awkward at school, and Marianne promised him to never tell anyone, that she ever did. After a few days, Connell and Marianne felt a growing sexual tension between them, and Marianne came to his house when Lorraine wasn't there. andAnd they had sex together for the fistfirst time. Connell has never before that didhad sex with a virgin girl. Despite that Connell is not being a virgin but, he has never felt like this during doing sex. He felt very comfortable and could be himself with Marianne. We got to even know about Marianne’s backstory through Connell’s inner monologue. At age 13 Marianne Marianne lost her dad and presently has a very hard time socially at school. She has no friends and doesn't talk to anyone in school, even to Connell. They still have their relationship in secret, and Connell has decided to apply to the same college as Marianne to study englishEnglish, which was Marianne's suggestion to him.