Through Shayla’s shift in priorities—from Jace to Black Lives Matter—and the relationship developments between Shayla, Isabella, and Julia, Ramée illustrates the arc of individual change and how it can make an impact on a larger scale. Change starts with self-awareness and an awareness of one’s surroundings and values. Once one identifies the need for change, one’s actions initiate change, even if on a small scale. This process results in personal growth as one realizes their values and develops the ability to follow through with their thoughts and words. Often, an individual’s small-scale change inspires larger, more impactful change.

Shayla struggles with her fear of displeasing or being rejected by others throughout the novel. Her character avoids anything that could make others angry, such as news about the trial of the racist police officer, the protests her sister Hana attends, and speaking up in class about racial injustice. Her insular focus is on gaining Jace’s attention, for she believes having him as a boyfriend will increase her social standing. However, once she starts seriously recording her observations and thoughts in her eyeball journal, she realizes that not only has she been mean and shallow, but her teachers and family were right in their assertions that race matters.