Amanda is a young artist whose parents are rich lawyers known for defending unsavory clients. They are also obsessed with collecting rare action figures and keep their hobby a secret. Amanda grows up feeling neglected and finds solace in her art. She befriends a girl named Sophie, who appears to be from a poor background but is actually from a wealthy family. Sophie's father was wrongly imprisoned, and she seeks revenge against Amanda's parents, whom she believes are responsible.
As Amanda and Sophie's friendship deepens, Amanda starts to open up about her parents' strange behavior. Sophie encourages Amanda to write a comic book about her experiences, which becomes a surprise hit. However, Amanda's parents are not pleased with the comic book, which they believe will expose their secrets.
Amanda discovers that Sophie's father was imprisoned due to her parents' actions, and Sophie reveals that she befriended Amanda to get revenge. Amanda is hurt and feels betrayed. She goes to the police with her suspicions, but they find no evidence of wrongdoing.
In the end, Amanda's parents help to get Sophie's father out of jail, and Amanda starts to heal from the wounds of her past. She publishes another comic book, which is even more successful than the first. A year later, Amanda reunites with Sophie, who has changed and apologized for her past actions. The two friends reconnect over coffee, and Amanda is no longer angry with Sophie.
Here are the key facts from the text:
1. The narrator, Amanda, was five years old when she realized her parents were famous for defending "bad guys" in court.
2. Amanda's parents were rich lawyers who were known for their work with unsavory clients.
3. The neighborhood kids would often leave mean notes, throw stink bombs, or trash in Amanda's family's driveway.
4. Amanda's parents were obsessed with collecting action figures and had a secret room where they kept their collection.
5. No one was allowed to enter the secret room, and Amanda was not allowed to tell anyone about her parents' hobby.
6. Amanda was a talented artist and won a junior art competition in the 11th grade.
7. She befriended a girl named Sophie, who initially seemed poor but was actually living with her wealthy aunt.
8. Sophie encouraged Amanda to submit her comic book to a publisher, and it became a hit overnight, earning Amanda a two-million-dollar contract.
9. Amanda's parents discovered her manuscript for a new comic book and were upset that she was writing about her childhood and their obsession with action figures.
10. Sophie told Amanda that her parents might be involved in a gang that smuggled illegal substances in action figures.
11. Amanda took her manuscript to the police, but they found no evidence of wrongdoing by her parents.
12. Amanda discovered that Sophie's father had been put in jail by Amanda's parents, and Sophie had become friends with Amanda as a form of revenge.
13. Amanda ignored Sophie and stopped talking to her parents after the incident.
14. Amanda's parents helped get Sophie's father out of jail, but Amanda was not ready to forgive them.
15. Amanda published her manuscript, which was a success, and used the money to attend art school.
16. Amanda left home for good and didn't see Sophie for a year until they ran into each other at a comic book store.