Author Brian Malloy triumphs with this keenly observed study of two social outliers, exceptions from the mainstream high school experience who's symbiotic relationship gradually evolves because of the girl Molly's first unrequited romantic attachment to the boy, Mark. Despite this, their friendship grows and evolves after they both graduate and eventually continue seeing each other in NYC, where the intelligent Molly is evolving with new sophisticated college friends who broaden her outlook about others and herself. There are some big changes and heartaches in store, many misapprehensions and adjustments that will happen, subtiley changing the trajectory of their lives, families, and futures. It is a year of dawning transitions that will be deep and lasting and Molly's account of them is a pleasure to read.
