How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
I sighed, then bounced the ball once, squaring my shoulders. Other than that random Boomerang a few weeks ago, I hadn't had my hands on a basketball in years. But that morning had been all about doing things I had never planned to do again, so I guess I shouldn't have been surprised. (10.172)
Sometimes going forward means overcoming your fears—even if you fear something as silly as playing basketball again. Mclean needs to get past her parents' divorce, and one way to do that is to finally look at basketball as something other than the devil incarnate.
Quote #5
Suddenly, I was just sure he was going to kiss me. He was there, I could feel his breath, the ground solid beneath us. But then something crossed his face, a thought, a hesitation, and he shifted slightly. Not now. Not yet. (10.207)
It's tempting to test out this burgeoning new romance between Mclean and a certain boy next door, but they're both worried that if they take that step, they can't take it back—no matter what the consequences are.
Quote #6
But anyone can begin. It was the part with all the promise, the potential, the things I loved. More and more, though, I was finding myself wanting to find out what happened in the end. (11.39)
Mclean's always started projects, made new friends, created personas… and then skipped town before anything gets complicated. But maybe now she needs to see things to the end. Maybe that's an important part of her personal journey.