How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
"Some people, they’re always outsiders, wherever they are."
"So am I," Dicey told him, finally understanding what he was worrying about. (1.184)
What Dicey and James don't understand here is that the only way to overcome being an outsider is to suck it up and make some friends. Everyone's an outsider at some point in their lives. But there are always friends to be had if you're willing to make it happen.
Quote #2
When he finished, he strummed a couple of chords. "Have a sit, kid."
Dicey shook her head and turned away. She heard the guitar begin another melody as she unlocked her bike and rode off downtown. (2.36-37)
Dicey straight up hops on her getaway vehicle the first time she meets Jeff. That’s one way to play hard-to-get! But in all seriousness, what's she so afraid of? He's just a dude with a guitar. Sounds downright swoony to Shmoop.
Quote #3
There were thirty-seven kids in the class, so probably one person wouldn’t have a partner, and probably that would be her. That was okay, she liked working alone, she was used to it; but she wanted to be sure everybody knew that she didn’t care about not having a partner. (2.151)
If Dicey doesn’t care about having a partner, why does she care if other people care if she cares? We think she's putting on a big show here, trying to act tough when really she wants a partner just as much as the rest of 'em.