At the beginning of What If It’s Us, Arthur and Ben have different perspectives on the universe. Neither is particularly happy with their life, but Arthur “believe[s] in love at first sight. Fate, the universe, all of it” (8). Despite his displeasure at being away from his friends for the summer, he believes he was brought to New York for a reason. On the other hand, Ben struggles with his breakup with Hudson and isn’t sure how he will move past it. However, he begins to believe in the universe when he meets Arthur, who, while discussing the box of Hudson’s belongings at the post office, says, “Maybe the whole reason you’re here is because the universe wanted you to meet me, so I could tell you to throw the box away” (15). It quickly becomes apparent that they ended up in the post office so they could meet. Still, by the novel’s end, both boys are unsure of the universe’s intentions in bringing them together. They also learn that they have to work to maintain their relationship.

The readers spend much of Part 1 watching the two boys have near misses. Arthur is sure that Ben’s name is Hudson; Ben thinks Arthur is going to Yale the next summer rather than this one.