How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
Vee is my un-twin. She's green-eyed, minky blond, and a few pounds over curvy. I'm a smoky-eyed brunette with volumes of curly hair that holds its own against even the best flatiron. And I'm all legs, like a bar stool. But there is an invisible thread that ties us together, both of us swear that tie began long before birth. Both of us swear it will continue to hold for the rest of lives. (1.22)
Coming of age is often associated with shifting alliances and relationships. At the start of the novel, Nora identifies Vee as the person she is closest to, and she assumes they will be just as close for their entire lives.
Quote #2
Vee shoved her notebook inside her backpack and ripped the zipper shut. I bit my lip and waved a small farewell. Then I turned slightly, checking out the room behind me. I knew the names of all my classmates… except one. The transfer. […]
He set his bio text down on the table and slid into Vee's old chair. (1.28-29)
Sure enough, the first minor drama in the book comes when Vee is replaced with a boy. He physically takes her spot at the bio table. By the time we get to the end of the book, we recognize this as a small moment of foreshadowing, hinting that Patch will replace Vee as the person Nora is closest to.
Quote #3
I spent the evening planted on a stool in the kitchen in the company of algebra homework and Dorothea, our housekeeper […] [My mom's] job required a lot of travel, and she paid Dorothea to cook and clean, but I was pretty sure the fine print on Dorothea's job description included keeping a watchful, parental eye on me. (2.2)
This part gives us a glimpse of what Nora's life is like at the beginning of the book. It's pretty sheltered, and it seems like she spends most of her time under the safeguards of school and home. We get the idea that she doesn't get into much trouble at all, except for some shenanigans orchestrated by Vee. In general, she's a good student who has been taken care of throughout her life.