<P> As the school year ends, Charlie is anxious about losing his older friends--especially Sam, who is leaving for a summer college - preparatory program and has learned that her boyfriend cheated on her . When Charlie helps her pack, they talk about his feelings for her; she is angry that he never acted on them . They begin to engage sexually, but Charlie suddenly grows inexplicably uncomfortable and stops Sam . Charlie begins to realize that his sexual contact with Sam has stirred up repressed memories of him being molested by his Aunt Helen as a little boy . Charlie shows signs of PTSD from the incident and the revelation of his abuse helps the reader understand his view of relationships and love . </P> <P> In an epilogue, Charlie is discovered by his parents in a catatonic state and does not show any movement despite being hit reluctantly by his father . After being admitted to a mental hospital, it is revealed that Helen actually sexually abused him when he was young, and his love for her (and empathy for her troubled youth) caused him to repress his traumatic memories . This psychological damage explains his flashbacks and derealization phases throughout the book . In two months Charlie is released, and Sam and Patrick visit him . In the epilogue, Sam, Patrick and Charlie go through the tunnel again and Charlie stands up and exclaims that he feels infinite . </P> <P> Charlie eventually comes to terms with his past: "Even if we don't have the power to choose where we come from, we can still choose where we go from there". Charlie decides to "participate" in life, and his letter - writing ends . </P> <P> Chbosky incorporated both fictional ideas and personal experiences to the novel . After five years with these elements in mind, he had the idea of writing the novel during a difficult period in his life . He was experiencing an unpleasant breakup of his own, which led him to ask, "Why good people let themselves get treated so badly?" The author tried to answer the question with the sentence "we accept the love we think we deserve". This quoted references the struggle of finding self love, encompassing one's life and hope for the future, and not just romantic love . </P>

Plot of the perks of being a wallflower book