When You Reach Me Friendship Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #10

"I mean, remember the second week of school, when you got sick? I spent that whole week alone. The whole week. Alone at lunch every day, alone after school…and don't take this the wrong way, but sometimes I want to hang out with boys." (47.30)

Sal reminds Miranda of what happened to him at school when she wasn't there. Why does Sal eat lunch alone?

Quote #11

Sal and I don't wait for each other these days. Not purposely. But if we happen to be leaving school at the same time, if he isn't going to a friend's, or to basketball practice, and I'm not going to Annemarie's or Julia's – or Colin's – then Sal and I walk home together. And we are better this way, together because we want to be. He understood that before I did. (54.1)

Miranda is now friends with Sal because she wants to be – not because she has to be. What does this say about her friendship with Sal before? How is it different now?