I Used to Go Here 2020

As writer Kate Conklin (Kate Conklin) grapples with the sudden cancellation of her debut novel’s tour and a broken engagement, she receives an unexpected lifeline in the form of an invitation to speak at her alma mater, Illinois University in Carbondale. The offer comes from none other than her revered former professor and mentor, David Kirkpatrick (David Kirkpatrick).

Returning to the campus that once held so much promise for her own writing career, Kate is struck by the serendipity of being reunited with a piece of her past: the charming bed and breakfast across from her old residence. There, she reconnects with the current occupants - three lively lads named Hugo (Hugo), Tall Brandon (Tall Brandon), and Animal (Animal) - who not only welcome her to revisit her former room but also extend an invitation to their impromptu party that evening.

After delivering a stirring reading at Kirkpatrick’s alma mater, Kate is approached by her former professor with an intriguing proposition: a teaching position at the very university where she once nurtured her own writing aspirations. As she weighs the pros and cons of this unexpected opportunity, Kate finds herself growing increasingly restless, her thoughts consumed by the memories of her past life.

As the night wears on, Kate’s wanderlust gets the better of her, and she finds herself drawn to the warmth and camaraderie across the street at the party. It is there that she receives a sobering text message from her former fiancé, bidding her adieu for good. In this moment of vulnerability, it is Animal (Animal) and his girlfriend who offer Kate a shoulder to cry on, allowing her to stay the night under their roof.

The following day, as Kate finds herself regrouping with a group of writing students in a cozy coffee shop, she meets April (April), one of Kirkpatrick’s most promising pupils - and Hugo’s (Hugo) girlfriend. As they engage in a lively discussion about the art of storytelling, Kate is taken aback by April’s dismissive response to her well-intentioned advice on how to make her writing more marketable.

As Kate delves deeper into her own creative struggles and personal relationships, she begins to uncover a tangled web of secrets and deceit. It becomes clear that April (April) has not only ended things with Hugo (Hugo) but also been involved in an illicit affair with none other than Professor Kirkpatrick himself. The revelation sends shockwaves through Kate’s world, causing her to reevaluate the sincerity of Kirkpatrick’s intentions - including his earlier offer to hire her as a teacher.

In the aftermath of this dramatic turn of events, Kate finds herself at a crossroads, forced to confront the harsh realities of the writing world and the fragility of human relationships. As she grapples with these existential questions, she is left to ponder the true meaning of creativity, community, and the power of storytelling in our lives.

As Kate and her group of former students reconvene at the house where it all began, a sense of familiarity washes over her. Her predicament - having been locked out of her beloved B&B - prompts Hugo to offer her a place to stay for the night, a gesture that leads her back to the very room where she once called home. As they reminisce about old times, Kate learns that Hugo has long admired an essay she penned during her student days, and it’s clear that he harbors more than just admiration for her intellectual pursuits. The air is charged with tension as these two former teacher and student navigate the uncharted territory of their renewed connection, their bodies igniting a spark that will leave a lasting impact.

The morning after, Kate makes a hasty exit, only to stumble upon April arriving at the doorstep, her presence a poignant reminder of unfinished business. As Kate apologizes for her past shortcomings as a mentor and confesses to feelings of inadequacy and jealousy, it becomes clear that her struggles have been rooted in self-doubt rather than any perceived shortcomings on April’s part.

The open road stretches out before Kate as she embarks on the drive back home, where a conversation with her driver reveals a shared appreciation for her literary endeavors. His words of praise are tempered by his curiosity about the experience of being published, and Kate’s response is telling - she believes that while it has been a significant milestone, there remains room for growth and improvement, leaving her to ponder what could have been achieved had she taken a different path.