How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
What would I do if she didn't come? The humiliation of it, and the money already spent, were nothing compared to the pitiful ache I could feel already, in my throat and in my chest, just imagining I might not be with her after all. But then I shook myself out of it. What was wrong with me? Did I expect something momentous to occur at a high school prom? If Marisol backed out, I'd live. (11.5)
Marisol's not the only one who worries about being ditched, and here John thinks about how humiliating it will be if she doesn't turn up for prom. Luckily, she does show. Unluckily for him (and her), though, it doesn't go as well as he planned.
Quote #8
I watched her walk away, first thinking: good riddance—who needs this abuse? And then after a minute thinking: She never really understood me anyway. Which rapidly changed to: I never understood her at all. And before long I was watching her small back disappear and thinking: There goes the only person who ever gave a damn about me. (12.91)
As Marisol leaves, John questions everything he ever thought about her. He's hurt, confused, and frustrated at both her and himself. It's interesting how the pattern of abandonment seems to repeat for both John and Marisol. They are both left by parents, and then leave each other, too.
Quote #9
I didn't sing. How could I sing? All I could do was stare across the campfire at Marisol, who was deserting me. She was sitting between the pillars of Sarah and June, and I couldn't help feeling they were guarding her. Keeping away the insensitive beasts: men. (16.38)
Even though Marisol's departure has more to do with her own self-discovery than John's admission of love, he still feels like she's purposely running away from him. Check out that word deserting as though this is a personal attack against John.