How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
Miri spied the other girls stealing minutes of conversation at the woodpile or behind the academy. Perhaps they did not mean to exclude her, she thought, perhaps they were simply used to one another from working together in the quarry. (4.2)
None of the girls have gone to school before, but they've had a similar social experience in working in the quarries together, so they've formed cliques and close friendships with the other girls they see every day. Poor Miri hasn't had a chance to be a part of that.
Quote #2
Miri sat alone, aware that even as the noise and levity grew, she was not invited to take part. (4.67)
Being a teenager away from home is hard enough without the Mean Girls treatment. How is Miri ever going to get in with the cool kids again after costing everyone a meal and a trip home? She's basically socially doomed.
Quote #3
"Thank you. I mean…" Britta looked up, struggling for words. "Thanks for talking to me." She pressed her lips together as though she were afraid to say anymore. (7.62)
Though they come from vastly different backgrounds, Britta and Miri are basically in the same situation once they're at the princess academy… So why not use it as a chance to spark up a new friendship?
Quote #4
It had been difficult to keep childhood friends while the others worked in the quarry and she was alone with the goats. But they were all together at the academy. If she wanted it, now was her chance. (9.34)
Miri's always felt awkward around the other girls because they go off to the quarries and see each other all day. But no more. They're all stuck at the academy now (whether they like it or not), so it's time to make some friends.
Quote #5
"You're my best friend, you know," he said. (11.91)
Despite all the awkwardness that they've gone through with their burgeoning emotions, Peder still considers Miri his best friend. How sweet and comforting to know that she's so important to him.
Quote #6
Katar's shoulders slumped. Miri felt her leg shaking again as her classmates whispered their votes to Olana one by one. When the last girl sat down, Olana smiled.
"Over half of you voted for the same girl, a clear majority. Miri, come forward." (16.65-66)
The whole "I'm not here to make friends" line from every reality TV show ever doesn't seem to help Katar out in the end. She should have made some friends so they'd vote for her when the time came to choose princess academy.
Quote #7
"I'm sorry," Miri said again, hating how hollow those words sounded. Katar had given her a small gift by opening her heart and showing her pain. Miri tucked the moment in her own heart and hoped somehow to repay. (16.95)
They may be rivals and not friends, but Miri doesn't wish any harm on Katar, and she definitely doesn't want her to be sad or feel hopeless. Even if Katar is mean to her, Miri is determined to help her out in whatever way she can.
Quote #8
Peder came to mind, and despite their recent quarrel, she found the thought of him calming. She closed her eyes, shook loose her thoughts, and sang into the linder of spring holiday. They were sitting on the same stone, their legs almost touching, the nearest bonfire echoing on the blacks of his eyes. (21.86)
True friendship remains just as strong even when you've had a major tiff. She and Peder may not be on speaking terms, but Miri knows that she can still reach out to him for help. And true to form, he comes to the rescue.
Quote #9
Peder had heard her call from miles away. He would understand. (23.45)
Real friends understand each other fully. Even when her own pa is hard to reach through quarry-speech, Miri can trust Peder to just get her. Later, he's totally on board with her plan to push Dan toward the cliff's edge.
Quote #10
Miri nodded, feeling confident that there was no one better in the world to be Katar's first friend. (25.117)
Katar may be a big fat meanie for most of the story, but when she starts getting emotional after Britta invites her to be the delegate for Mount Eskel, Britta doesn't make fun of her. Instead she reaches out and embraces her. What a nice gesture.