"I will be careful not to forget about them and also not to get too close," Mathias promises solemnly, taking a sandwich of his own.

After a silent moment, he cautiously says, "I'm taking some classes." His caution has nothing to do with Veronica -- which he's acknowledged and is trying not to think much about -- and everything to do with the idea of settling on the island. He doesn't have a problem with the permanence of the place, but with the idea that he could very well disappear at any given moment. To settle down in any way seems risky. "Math and surfing, which aren't complementary courses, I know."