How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
You didn't have to be particularly sensitive for stuff like that to keep you awake at night, thought Lily, once you started thinking about it. Particularly if you had a crush on someone, because having a crush made you feel vulnerable, and even more vulnerable if the person you had a crush on didn't know you existed. (19.1)
Why is it that liking a guy (or a girl) makes teenagers feel "vulnerable"? For Lily, it seems to be the fear of rejection. Rejection to her would be confirmation that everything she thinks about herself—smelling like dishwater, having a loony family, being physically unattractive—is true. Thankfully, Daniel Steadman turns those expectations and beliefs upside down.
Quote #8
She waved, and when Lonnie and Clara failed to notice her, Jessaline didn't feel the least bit neglected, as she might have only a few short weeks earlier. Once you got a life, reflected Jessaline, you didn't have time to feel touchy or paranoid. "Once you get a life," she hummed, " a life, a life." (22.2)
While Lonnie's wandered through life without a particular direction, Jessaline's operated at the other extreme: living according to her parents' expectations. When she decides to change her major and operate by her own rules, though, she experiences a kind of freedom she's never felt before. It's a sobering thought that this is probably the happiest Jessaline has ever been in her life.
Quote #9
"I'm sorry," [Lonnie] said simply. "I'm sorry I act useless."
Lily could hardly believe it. He'd never said, "Sorry" in his life. Not to her, anyway, not… meaning it. Standing there in the middle of the small, clean room, she thought he looked different. (33.53-54)
One of the coolest things Clarke does with character development in this book is allowing us to witness Lonnie's transformation as a result of his relationship with Clara. Often, these moments are most rewarding when we see them through the eyes of someone who's been critical of him—like his sister. Lily's shock that Lonnie has the guts to apologize for something confirms for us that real change is taking place.