I decide to come out to my parents at Sunny Apu’s engagement party.
-- Nishat (chapter 1)

Importance: This is the opening quote of the novel, which grabs the reader’s attention, sets the tone for the novel, and helps the reader immediately get to know Nishat’s bold and confident character. The novel starts in a Bollywood-esque way with a celebratory engagement party. After the party she comes out to her parents, which sets off strife and complications for the rest of the novel both between them and the other girls at her school.

Nice henna - your sis did a great job!”
-- Flavia (chapter 4)

Importance: This quote at the beginning of the novel is a comment Flavia leaves on one of Priti’s pictures on Instagram from Sunny Apu’s wedding. This quote represents the motif of Instagram, and how it plays a role as a digital platform and setting for the teenagers - amplifying...