^ Yeah the people I went with were confused by it too. In the book they build up their relationship more and then because he is gone with the army you can slowly see them drifting apart every time he visits home unlike in the movie where it just suddenly happens. Also in the book they build up Tim's character more and it come across as he's her best friend (and I'm pretty sure he's her age and Alan is his little brother) and is in love with her but doesn't pursue it because he wants what makes her happy. The book just goes more in depth and explains everything while the movie just skips details and things just randomly happen. There was no need for them to change it I have no idea why they did.