Holly Rollins and Noel Jackson (formerly known as Juliet Capulet and Rosemary Montague) are off to college in Chicago, living their lives to the fullest. They've embraced their new identities, leaving their old lives before witness protection behind them completely. The adult world is scary for two girls who were just living in a mini utopia for three years, but they're ready to take it on headfirst.

Ely is pursuing a politics degree so that she can start changing the world the moment she graduates, and planning her wedding with Lauren. Lauren is working hard to go into full-time show business. Hazel has decided to stay in the States and get a criminology degree, hoping to one day be in the FBI. She's trying to maintain a long-distance relationship with Andrea, who's working to become a microbiologist. Lynn has been working on loving who she is as her own person since her breakup with Viktor, and is willing to do anything to succeed as a journalist. Jenna realizes that her point in the world was never interior design or event planning - she wants to go into politics with Ely. Amilia braces herself to enter the world of painting, a major that many may not see the use in, and a career path that will be slow in its reward. Lisa dives straight into photography as she works on her fine arts degree, and on the side, starts thinking about her wedding with May, though it's still quite some time away. May follows in her mother's footsteps as she goes into music, specifically the cello, and along the way, finds her own separate identity. She helps Lisa with some wedding planning along the way.

At 22, Irene Madsen was in a car accident with her best friend. Her friend survived, but she didn't, and despite her desperation to stay, she was brought to the Afterlife. Derek Long died at the age of 25, years ago, and since his departure had climbed to the near top of the hierarchy of the Underworld, a spirit guide and the advisor to the ruler of death. His latest assignment has been to a girl named Irene. He must teach her the customs and ways of the Underworld and help her to survive. Does death mean that it's too late for love?