The narrative is a first-person account of a woman named Jordan, who grew up in California with her single mother and older sister, Cass. Jordan's mother was a high school teacher who struggled financially, and Jordan often felt guilty about her inability to provide her family with the best things. Despite this, Jordan was a good student who loved hiking and video games.
In ninth grade, Jordan met Zach, a new neighbor who moved into her neighborhood. They quickly became friends and had many common interests. In 11th grade, Cass, who had a crush on Zach, tried to introduce him to her new friend Ashley, but Jordan intervened, believing that Zach deserved better.
Jordan and Zach's relationship deepened, and they started spending a lot of time together. However, when Zach's parents gave him a hefty allowance, he started taking Jordan out to expensive places, which she initially accepted. However, she later realized that she was just using him for his money.
During college, Jordan met Sean, a brilliant and handsome student who became her study partner. Sean's parents owned an airline company and he was planning to go to medical school. Sean and Jordan's relationship developed, and he proposed to her. However, Jordan's mother and Cass were not supportive of the relationship, and Jordan's wedding was marred by a surprise appearance from Zach and his child.
After the wedding, Jordan realized her mistake and left Sean. She moved away and became a neurosurgeon. Years later, she ran into Zach again, who was now a history professor at the same university where she was giving a lecture. They reconnected, and Zach apologized for his past behavior. They decided to pick up where they left off, with Jordan suggesting they go hiking together.
1. The speaker, Jordan, is from California.
2. Jordan's mother is a high school teacher.
3. Jordan has an older sister named Cass.
4. Jordan's friend Becky has a new iPhone.
5. Jordan and her family are not well-off financially.
6. Jordan's mother struggles with guilt over not being able to provide the best things for them.
7. Jordan starts to grow rapidly in seventh grade, causing financial stress.
8. Jordan's mother takes her shopping, but she is worried about the price tags.
9. Jordan's mother tries to reassure her that her phone works fine and no new camera will fix her personality.
10. Jordan sees a girl attacking a guy at her school.
11. Jordan helps the boy by returning a pen that fell out of the girl's bag.
12. The boy's name is Zach, and he just moved into Jordan's neighborhood.
13. Jordan and Zach start hanging out almost every day.
14. Jordan and Zach share interests like hiking and video games.
15. Cass gets along with Zach and sometimes joins them for movie nights.
16. In 11th grade, Cass comes to a party in a cheerleader's outfit not because she is a cheerleader.
17. Jordan and Zach go on a trip to a beach for a swim.
18. Zach's parents give him a hefty allowance every week.
19. Jordan and Zach start going out often to movies, theme parks, and concerts.
20. As college starts, Jordan and Zach live across campus from each other and meet often.
21. Sean, the mysterious and most handsome guy in Jordan's class, offers to be Jordan's study partner.
22. Sean is brilliant, makes things easy to understand, and treats Jordan well.
23. Sean's parents own an airline company, and he is going to medical school.
24. Jordan becomes popular by association with Sean.
25. A classmate dislikes Sean and calls him a jerk.
26. Jordan feels bad when Sean gets hurt during a rugby match.
27. Sean asks Jordan to marry him, and she accepts.
28. Sean's parents criticize Jordan's family during their engagement party.
29. On the day of her wedding, the doors burst open and Zach enters with a crying child who calls Jordan "mommy".
30. The ceremony is halted, and Jordan is humiliated in front of everyone.
31. Sean leaves with his parents, leaving Jordan devastated.
32. Jordan finds out that Sean has returned to France and is getting married to a girl his parents wanted him to be with.
33. Jordan finishes her residency and becomes a neurosurgeon.
34. Jordan's sister, Cass, gets married to a rich guy who adores her.
35. Jordan is invited to give a lecture at a local University, and she runs into Zach, who is now a history Professor.
36. Zach apologizes for his past actions towards Jordan and offers to pick up where they left off.