Character Analysis
Misha is originally Alma's pen pal, who moves from Russia to Brighton Beach, Brooklyn. He's also Alma's only real friend. Otherwise, Misha likes to play Beatles songs on the accordion (hey, who doesn't?). They have an incredibly shy and awkward romance, until Alma gets cold feet and they stop talking. They call each other a few times after that, mostly hanging up before the other answers the phone—you know, basic teenage stuff. Alma thinks about him a lot and gets jealous of his new girlfriend.