Summary

In Chapter 11, the conversation between Shirin and Ocean quickly becomes more casual over pancakes. Shirin realizes Ocean's statements make her feel vulnerable. They walk around after leaving the restaurant. Ocean is on the verge of saying something, then changes his mind. Shirin asks about his past. She learns he moved here when he was six. She is envious of living in one place so long. He says he is anxious to leave. Shirin says she wants to settle down. She says when she was eight, her parents moved back to Iran. Shirin initially attended a “fancy international school” filled with entitled kids. She hated that. They moved north, and Shirin attended a one-room school that she remembers as her favorite. The other students were enthralled with her because she was American. Ultimately, the family was “too American” to stay there. They talk about...