Kat, a young girl from Texas, wants to become an artist, but her mother disapproves, encouraging her to pursue a more lucrative career. After her wealthy grandmother offers to pay for Kat's education, including art school, Kat moves in with her grandmother in Luxembourg. However, she faces bullying and mistreatment from her aunt and cousin, Adele, who resents Kat's presence and fears she will inherit her grandmother's wealth.
Kat befriends Jacques, the son of her mother's best friend, who has a crush on her. As they grow closer, Kat learns that her aunt had been in love with her father and framed him for theft, forcing him to leave the country with Kat's mother. This revelation helps Kat understand her aunt's motivations and behavior.
When Jacques is accused of being unsuitable for Kat due to his perceived lower social status, Kat stands up for him, and her grandmother ultimately defends her right to date whoever she chooses. In the process, Kat's aunt is exposed for her past wrongdoings, and her grandmother apologizes for not being more supportive of Kat's mother.
In the end, Kat decides to return home to Texas, but Jacques confesses his love for her and plans to move to America to be closer to her. The story concludes with Kat and Jacques sharing a romantic moment, and Kat finally feeling seen and supported in her pursuit of becoming an artist.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The narrator, Kat, is from Texas.
2. Kat's mother grew up in Luxembourg.
3. Kat's mother has a rich best friend who moved to their town.
4. Kat's mother is obsessed with her best friend's son, Jacques.
5. Jacques and Kat knew each other as kids, and Jacques would often tease Kat.
6. Kat's parents are not wealthy, and her mother wants her to pursue a more practical career.
7. Kat's grandmother offers to take Kat in and pay for her education, including art school.
8. Kat moves to Luxembourg to live with her grandmother.
9. Kat meets her aunt and cousin, Adele, who are not very welcoming.
10. Adele is mean to Kat and tries to bully her.
11. Kat meets Jacques again at school, and they become friends.
12. Jacques asks Kat out, and they start dating.
13. Adele has a boyfriend who is a gardener, but she keeps it a secret from her mother.
14. Adele's mother is mean to Kat and accuses her of trying to steal her inheritance.
15. Kat's aunt, Adele's mother, has a history of being jealous and manipulative.
16. Kat's aunt framed Kat's father for stealing and forced him to leave the country.
17. Kat's mother left with her father, and Kat's aunt has been holding a grudge ever since.
18. Kat confronts her aunt about her past behavior and decides to leave Luxembourg.
19. Kat's grandmother apologizes for not being more involved in her life and promises to still support her education.
20. Kat returns home to her mother, and Jacques confesses his love for her and plans to move to America to be close to her.