The narrative is a coming-of-age story of Alexa, a young girl from Chicago who has a strained relationship with her father. She has a strong bond with her mother, who owns a bookshop in their neighborhood. Alexa's father leaves when she's young, leaving Alexa to care for her twin sister, Bailey.
Alexa's relationship with boys is complicated, as she is allergic to mess and finds them annoying, similar to her father. She avoids them and even joins a drama club to escape. However, she eventually develops a crush on a popular boy in school, Ryan, who happens to be the lead in the school play.
Alexa's mother loses their family bookshop due to financial difficulties, which causes a rift between Alexa and Ryan. When Ryan's father, who owns the investment company that caused their financial troubles, decides to collect all outstanding loans, Ryan steps in to help. He talks to his father and they agree to make the loan payments easier for Alexa's mother.
Despite this, a misunderstanding leads Alexa to break up with Ryan. She leaves for university to study drama and theater. After graduation, she returns home for her sister's wedding and is shocked to see Ryan there. He apologizes for the misunderstanding and offers to pay for a surgery to fix a scar on Alexa's back that she had from a previous accident.
Alexa agrees to the surgery, and they rekindle their friendship. In the end, they share a hug and a cup of coffee, implying a possible romantic interest. However, the story ends without a clear resolution, leaving it open for further exploration.
1. The speaker, Alexa, is from Chicago and is fond of her mom, who owns a bookshop in the neighborhood.
2. Alexa's twin sister, Bailey, is closer to their dad, who is messy and often leaves his muddy boots over Alexa's white shoes.
3. Alexa and Bailey's dad went to play football with some boys while they were on the swings, and they couldn't find him when it started getting dark.
4. The family got into a big fight after Alexa and Bailey found their dad at home, playing video games and being messy.
5. Dad left to live with his mom, and Bailey was upset, but their mom seemed happier.
6. Alexa avoided talking to boys her age, as she thought they were messy and careless like their dad.
7. Alexa discovered her interest in acting and joined the drama club, where she fought for lead roles every year.
8. Alexa was annoyed by a boy who messed up the order of all her markers during a class activity.
9. Alexa's mom and dad had a big fight, and dad left to live with his mom after the fight.
10. Alexa was upset but secretly relieved when dad left, as she and her mom seemed happier.
11. Alexa joined the drama club and found herself fighting for lead roles every year with a girl named Lily.
12. Alexa was afraid that her twin sister, Bailey, would end up choosing someone like their dad.
13. Alexa walked into the locker room as Lily was changing and Lily shrieked at her.
14. Alexa found Ryan, the quiet millionaire, singing in the boy's locker room.
15. Alexa was assigned to be the lead in the school play with Ryan, but she was annoyed by his behavior and messiness.
16. Alexa had a costume that irritated her scar from an accident when she was eight years old.
17. Ryan didn't share the picture of Alexa's scar with anyone.
18. On the day of the play, Alexa and Ryan performed a kissing scene, which was their first time experiencing such a scene.
19. After the play, Alexa's mom found out that they were going to lose the bookshop due to a big loan taken from an investment company.
20. Ryan's dad and Alexa's dad are business partners and own the investment company.
21. Ryan promised to talk to his dad and make the loan payments easier for Alexa's mom.
22. Alexa and Ryan started dating to everyone's surprise and Lily's anger.
23. Ryan broke the news to Alexa that their company was facing losses and they would have to collect all outstanding loans soon.
24. Alexa was angry and heartbroken after discovering that Ryan had lied to her.
25. Bailey and Alexa helped their mom pack up the store over the summer.
26. Alexa went to university to study drama and theater, where she made loads of cool friends, including guys.
27. Ryan showed up at Alexa's door a few years later, wanting to talk to her.
28. Ryan proposed to fix Alexa's scar and offered to pay for the surgery.
29. Alexa agreed to undergo the surgery, and the doctor said it went great.
30. After the surgery, Ryan was by Alexa's side, smiling.