Content Warning: The source text includes mentions of suicidal ideation, detailed depictions of obsessive-compulsive disorder, and references to alcohol addiction, disordered eating, and anti-LGBTQ+ bias.

“[E]verything that was complicated is suddenly, like, yes-and-no simple, because your stomach is really the boss and it’s telling you that your desire is possible and that it’s not the answer to everything but it’s the one thing that’s going to make the questions more bearable.”

Jared weighs in on Henna and Mel’s argument about the conflation of love and desire. This is an example of the clarity that so often characterizes Jared’s contributions to conversation. This also introduces the concept of growing up being defined by “questions”—a concept that will follow Mikey and Henna’s relationship for most of the novel.

“So what have I been doing for the last five months? I refer you to ‘zero times’ above.”

This is an early example of the characteristics of Mikey’s narration. Referring specifically to the number of times he’s shared his feelings with Henna, this quote captures the sarcasm he so often employs when dealing with a difficult situation or confronting a quality in himself that he doesn’t admire.

“Our town is just like your town.”

Ness strives to make Mikey’s hometown, despite the presence of indie kids and supernatural incursions, feel relatable to readers. This feeling of relatability is important in establishing the idea that “ordinary” kids like Mikey and his friends have to deal with circumstances that feel or are extraordinary all of the time.