Over the course of my life, I’ve told Henna about my mad, desperate feelings for her exactly zero times.
-- Mikey (Chapter 2)

Importance: Mikey reveals early on in the novel that he is very much in love with his sister’s best friend, Henna. But because of his anxiety, he has been unable to confess his true feelings for her. Time is running out, though, as they are due to graduate in a couple of weeks, after which Henna will be going on a mission trip to Africa.

The indie kids, huh? You’ve got them at your school, too.
-- Mikey (Chapter 2)

Importance: Mikey, Mel, Henna, and Jared wonder what is going on with the indie kids following their strange encounter in the field. Mikey takes a moment to explain to the reader that every school has indie kids. He explains that indie kids have cool-geek haircuts, and clothes and names from the 1950s. It is...