How we cite our quotes: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
Things changed when I was thirteen. That year, Sherry Heller invited Charlie and me to her basement New Year's Eve party so we could all watch her make out with her big-nosed boyfriend from Midland Catholic. (1.13.3)
As Vera and Charlie grow up, the nature of their feelings for each other definitely start to shift. They may not acknowledge it, but on that New Year's Eve, Charlie kisses Vera for the first time, and it's clear that they both feel some attraction to one another. Boy, isn't puberty confusing?
Quote #2
"I know you know about sex. And I know you're smart. But you're about to enter a whole new part of life where things aren't as simple as they once were." (1.18.10)
As Vera grows older, even her relationship with Charlie starts to change. Her father gives her different warnings now, about how she has to be careful when she sleeps in the tree house with him, and about how she can't date him because of his family.
Quote #3
I was still digesting the whole mother-was-a-stripper thing on top of the mother-never-coming-back thing. I felt a deep resentment toward Dad that summer. I think part of me blamed him for her leaving and part of me wanted to leave him, too. (1.19.3)
Growing older means having to learn hard truths, like the fact that Vera's mom was a stripper and that she left Vera and her dad forever. It's hard to process that kind of information, especially when you've barely gone through puberty.