On the Come Up

by

Angie Thomas

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The sixteen-year-old protagonist and an aspiring rapper. According to Bri's mom, whom Bri calls Jay, Bri has been rapping since she was old enough to hold a hairbrush like a microphone. Despite this, Bri feels she's invisible and hasn't rapped for anyone but Jay, her best friends Sonny and Malik, and her Aunt Pooh. Bri feels invisible in part because, though she lives in a predominately black neighborhood, she buses to the wealthier white neighborhood of Midtown to attend Midtown School of the Arts, where she tends to attract negative attention. Bri is labeled as "aggressive" and "confrontational," which she attributes primarily to being one of only a handful of black students at school. Internally, Bri struggles to make sense of several traumatic events in her life: her father, Lawless, was shot when she was four years old, and a year later, Jay became addicted to crack and left Bri and her older brother, Trey, with Grandma and Granddaddy—something so traumatic that Bri still has nightmares. In the present, Bri spends much of her time worrying about whether she'll have electricity or food at home. She believes that a record deal will allow her to save her family from poverty. Being thrown to the floor and handcuffed by her school's racist security guards inspires Bri's first song, "On the Come Up." However, Bri is extremely upset when Aunt Pooh and others take issue with the lyrics that talk about violence and gang activity. Bri keeps her activities a secret from Jay as she becomes involved with Lawless's old manager, Supreme, who believes Bri's song will be an instant hit. He encourages Bri to play the part of the "ratchet hood rat," an identity that Bri feels isn't her. As Bri's fame spirals out of control and she makes several ill-advised public statements, as well as begins to prioritize objects—like Lawless's chain—above her friends, she comes to see that she doesn't like the person she's becoming. Jay encourages Bri to think about who she is, which gives Bri the strength to fire Supreme and engage with fame on her own terms.

Bri Quotes in On the Come Up

The On the Come Up quotes below are all either spoken by Bri or refer to Bri. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Identity and Individuality Theme Icon
).
Chapter 1 Quotes

Mrs. Murray's expression softens. "Following your dad's footsteps, huh?"

It's weird. Whenever other people mention him, it's like they're confirming that he's not some imaginary person I only remember bits and pieces of. And when they call him my dad and not Lawless, the underground rap legend, it's like they're reminding me that I'm his and he's mine.

Related Characters: Bri (speaker), Mrs. Murray (speaker), Lawless / Bri’s Dad
Page Number: 9
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 2 Quotes

"Carrying the torch for Law, huh?"

Not really. More like making my own torch and carrying it. I say, "Yeah," though, because that's what I'm supposed to say. It's part of being royalty.

Related Characters: Bri (speaker), Frank (speaker), Aunt Pooh, Lawless / Bri’s Dad, Reggie
Page Number: 23
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 4 Quotes

Five years back with her, and yet I still dream about her leaving us. It hits me out of nowhere sometimes. But Jay can't know I dream about it. It'll make her feel guilty, and then I'll feel guilty for making her feel guilty.

"It was nothing," I tell her.

Related Characters: Bri (speaker), Jay / Bri’s Mom
Page Number: 46
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 5 Quotes

Not that the Garden was ever a utopia, hell no, but before I only worried about GDs and Crowns. Now, I gotta worry about the cops too? Yeah, people get killed around here, and nah, it's not always by the police, but Jay says this was like having a stranger come into your house, steal one of your kids, and blame you for it because your family was dysfunctional, while the whole world judges you for being upset.

Related Characters: Bri (speaker), Jay / Bri’s Mom
Page Number: 51
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 7 Quotes

He graduated with honors. Worked his ass off to get there in the first place, only to have to come back to the hood and work in a pizza shop.

It's bullshit, and it scares me, because if Trey can't make it by doing everything "right," who can?

Related Characters: Bri (speaker), Trey
Page Number: 97
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 8 Quotes

Sometimes she babies me, like it's her way of making up for when she wasn't around. I let her do it, too. I wonder though if she only sees me as her baby girl who used to snuggle up with her until I fell asleep. I don't know if the snuggles are for who I am now.

This time, I think the snuggles are for her.

Related Characters: Bri (speaker), Jay / Bri’s Mom
Page Number: 102
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 9 Quotes

I mean...I don't think she is.

For one, eight years is a hell of a long time to be clean. Two, Jay wouldn't go back to all of that. She knows how much it messed us up. She wouldn't put me and Trey through that again.

But.

She put us through it in the first place.

Related Characters: Bri (speaker), Jay / Bri’s Mom, Aunt Pooh, Trey, Supreme, Bri’s Grandma, Sister Daniels
Page Number: 125
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 12 Quotes

I almost roll my eyes. How would these people feel if they knew Milez was here to see how messed up we are to remind him how good he's got it? He's gonna go to his nice house in the suburbs and forget this in a week, tops, while we're still struggling.

My situation shouldn't be his after-school special.

Related Characters: Bri (speaker), Jay / Bri’s Mom, Supreme, Miles / Milez / Rapid
Related Symbols: Bri’s Song, "On the Come Up", Timbs
Page Number: 169-170
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 14 Quotes

"I don't want you to grow up too fast, baby," Jay says. "I did, and it's not something I can ever get back. I want you to enjoy your childhood as much as possible."

"I'd rather grow up than be homeless."

"Hate that you even have to think like that," she murmurs.

Related Characters: Bri (speaker), Jay / Bri’s Mom (speaker), Trey
Related Symbols: Lawless's Chain
Page Number: 193
Explanation and Analysis:

There I am, on the front page of Blackout. They posted a picture from when I was in the Ring. The headline? "Teen Daughter of Murdered Underground Rap Legend Lawless Just Killed Us Her Damn Self with This New Heat!"

Side note: Do I have a name or nah? It's short enough that it could've fit, too.

Related Characters: Bri (speaker), Malik, Curtis, Lawless / Bri’s Dad
Related Symbols: Bri’s Song, "On the Come Up"
Page Number: 199
Explanation and Analysis:

"What's wrong with what you say?"

"I talk about guns and stuff, Curtis. He doesn't want people to think that's me."

"They're gonna think it anyway. If you can get something from this, forget the nonsense and go for it."

Related Characters: Bri (speaker), Curtis (speaker), Malik
Related Symbols: Bri’s Song, "On the Come Up"
Page Number: 201
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 15 Quotes

"You know who the biggest consumers of hip-hop are?"

"White kids in the suburbs," Miles answers dryly, as if he's heard this before.

"Exactly! White kids in the suburbs," Supreme says. "You know what white kids in the suburbs love? Listening to shit that scares their parents. You scare the hell outta their folks, they'll flock to you like birds. The videos from tonight? Gonna scare the hell outta them. Watch your numbers shoot up."

It actually makes sense that white kids in the suburbs will love the videos. But Long and Tate called me a "hoodlum," and I can't seem to shake that word.

Related Characters: Bri (speaker), Supreme (speaker), Miles / Milez / Rapid (speaker), Long, Tate
Related Symbols: Bri’s Song, "On the Come Up"
Page Number: 215
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 16 Quotes

"Pooh and her drug-dealing money, saving the day."

It is kinda messed up. Here my brother is, doing everything right, and nothing's coming from it. Meanwhile, Aunt Pooh's doing everything we've been told not to do, and she's giving us food when we need it.

That's how it goes though. The drug dealers in my neighborhood aren't struggling. Everybody else is.

Related Characters: Bri (speaker), Trey (speaker), Jay / Bri’s Mom, Aunt Pooh
Page Number: 218
Explanation and Analysis:

"But," he says, in a way that tells me to wipe the smile off my face, "although I get the song, now people are gonna take your words at face value. And let's be real: You're clueless about half the shit you rapped about. Clips on your hips?" Trey twists his mouth. "You know damn well you don't know what a clip is, Bri."

"Yes I do!" It's the thingy that goes on the thingy on a gun.

Related Characters: Bri (speaker), Trey (speaker), Jay / Bri’s Mom, Aunt Pooh
Related Symbols: Bri’s Song, "On the Come Up"
Page Number: 221
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 18 Quotes

She's still not listening to me. "If you would just listen to the song—it's not what they made it out to be, I swear. It's about playing into their assumptions about me."

"You don't get that luxury, Brianna! We don't! They never think we're just playing!"

Related Characters: Bri (speaker), Jay / Bri’s Mom
Related Symbols: Bri’s Song, "On the Come Up"
Page Number: 248
Explanation and Analysis:

But it's like how when she does stuff I don't like and says it's "for my own good." This is for hers. I'm willing to do anything to keep that sadness in her eyes from becoming permanent.

Related Characters: Bri (speaker), Jay / Bri’s Mom, Supreme
Related Symbols: Bri’s Song, "On the Come Up", Timbs
Page Number: 257
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 19 Quotes

"That's right, fuck censorship," I say, to three hundred viewers. "They don't get it because it ain't for them to get. Besides, if I am strapped like backpacks, maybe it's 'cause I gotta be, bitch. Ain't my fault if it makes you uncomfortable. I'm uncomfortable every goddamn day of my life."

Related Characters: Bri (speaker), Emily Taylor
Related Symbols: Bri’s Song, "On the Come Up"
Page Number: 267
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 23 Quotes

"The worst thing I've done is become poor, Mrs. Jackson! [...] The worst thing!" she says. "That's it! Excuse me because I have the audacity to be poor!

[...]

You think I want my babies sitting in the dark? I'm trying, Mrs. Jackson! I go on interviews. I withdrew from school so these kids could have food! I begged the church not to let me go. I'm sorry if it's not enough for you, but good Lord, I'm trying!"

Related Characters: Jay / Bri’s Mom (speaker), Bri, Trey, Bri’s Grandma, Bri’s Granddaddy
Page Number: 311
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 24 Quotes

"I want you to look at her for a second, Dr. Cook," Jay says. "Really look at her."

She sets her hand on my back so I have no choice but to stand straight and look him in the eye, too.

"She's sixteen, Dr. Cook," Jay says. "Not a grown woman, not a threat. A child. Do you know how I felt when I was told that two grown men manhandled my child?"

Related Characters: Jay / Bri’s Mom (speaker), Bri, Dr. Cook, Long, Tate
Page Number: 324
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 25 Quotes

"Me and my twin know all the words to your song!" this snaggle-toothed girl pipes up.

I scribble my name for her. "Oh, for real?"

"'Strapped like backpacks, I pull triggers,'" she and her sister squeak. "'All the clips on my hips change my figure.'"

I stop writing.

How old are they? Six? Seven?

Related Characters: Bri (speaker), Jojo
Related Symbols: Bri’s Song, "On the Come Up"
Page Number: 331-32
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 27 Quotes

It's like having a bucket of ice water thrown into my face.

Ratchet hood rat.

Thousands of people just heard me act like that. Millions more may see the video. They won't care that my life is a mess and I had every right to be mad. They'll just see an angry black girl from the ghetto, acting like they expected me to act.

Supreme laughs to himself. "You played the role," he says. "Goddamn, you played the role."

Problem is, I wasn't playing. That's what I've become.

Related Characters: Bri (speaker), Supreme (speaker), DJ Hype
Related Symbols: Bri’s Song, "On the Come Up"
Page Number: 355
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 28 Quotes

"I think about everything we've been through, and if I'd gone through it by myself, I'd probably be where Pooh is right now."

Damn. Aunt Pooh did say she became a GD because she didn't have anyone. Now she's in a jail cell without anyone again. I never realized that Trey could've been like her, with a record instead of a diploma. I know there's so much else that made their lives turn out differently, but he makes it sound like the difference between them was me.

Related Characters: Bri (speaker), Trey (speaker), Aunt Pooh
Page Number: 362
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 31 Quotes

"Do you know what your aunt's biggest problem is?"

I look at the jailhouse. That's kinda obvious at the moment. "She's locked up."

"No. That's not even her biggest problem," says Jay. "Pooh doesn't know who she is, and by not knowing who she is, she doesn't know her worth. So, who are you?"

"What?"

Related Characters: Bri (speaker), Jay / Bri’s Mom (speaker), Aunt Pooh
Page Number: 397
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 32 Quotes

"I'm done being who my dad wants me to be," Miles says. "It's not worth it."

Does he mean what I think he means? "You're giving up your rap career?"

Miles slowly nods. "Yeah. I am. Besides, is it really mine if I'm not being myself?

Related Characters: Bri (speaker), Miles / Milez / Rapid (speaker), Malik, Sonny, Supreme
Related Symbols: "Swagerific"
Page Number: 406
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 33 Quotes

"But I believe she's smarter than that," he says. "Don't you?"

"I know she is."

"Can you act like it then?" I ask, and my voice is super soft. "It's not like anybody else does."

This look of surprise quickly appears in my mom's eyes. Slowly, it's replaced by sadness and, soon, realization.

Related Characters: Bri (speaker), Jay / Bri’s Mom (speaker), Trey (speaker), Lawless / Bri’s Dad
Page Number: 422
Explanation and Analysis:
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On the Come Up PDF

Bri Quotes in On the Come Up

The On the Come Up quotes below are all either spoken by Bri or refer to Bri. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Identity and Individuality Theme Icon
).
Chapter 1 Quotes

Mrs. Murray's expression softens. "Following your dad's footsteps, huh?"

It's weird. Whenever other people mention him, it's like they're confirming that he's not some imaginary person I only remember bits and pieces of. And when they call him my dad and not Lawless, the underground rap legend, it's like they're reminding me that I'm his and he's mine.

Related Characters: Bri (speaker), Mrs. Murray (speaker), Lawless / Bri’s Dad
Page Number: 9
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 2 Quotes

"Carrying the torch for Law, huh?"

Not really. More like making my own torch and carrying it. I say, "Yeah," though, because that's what I'm supposed to say. It's part of being royalty.

Related Characters: Bri (speaker), Frank (speaker), Aunt Pooh, Lawless / Bri’s Dad, Reggie
Page Number: 23
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 4 Quotes

Five years back with her, and yet I still dream about her leaving us. It hits me out of nowhere sometimes. But Jay can't know I dream about it. It'll make her feel guilty, and then I'll feel guilty for making her feel guilty.

"It was nothing," I tell her.

Related Characters: Bri (speaker), Jay / Bri’s Mom
Page Number: 46
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 5 Quotes

Not that the Garden was ever a utopia, hell no, but before I only worried about GDs and Crowns. Now, I gotta worry about the cops too? Yeah, people get killed around here, and nah, it's not always by the police, but Jay says this was like having a stranger come into your house, steal one of your kids, and blame you for it because your family was dysfunctional, while the whole world judges you for being upset.

Related Characters: Bri (speaker), Jay / Bri’s Mom
Page Number: 51
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 7 Quotes

He graduated with honors. Worked his ass off to get there in the first place, only to have to come back to the hood and work in a pizza shop.

It's bullshit, and it scares me, because if Trey can't make it by doing everything "right," who can?

Related Characters: Bri (speaker), Trey
Page Number: 97
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 8 Quotes

Sometimes she babies me, like it's her way of making up for when she wasn't around. I let her do it, too. I wonder though if she only sees me as her baby girl who used to snuggle up with her until I fell asleep. I don't know if the snuggles are for who I am now.

This time, I think the snuggles are for her.

Related Characters: Bri (speaker), Jay / Bri’s Mom
Page Number: 102
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 9 Quotes

I mean...I don't think she is.

For one, eight years is a hell of a long time to be clean. Two, Jay wouldn't go back to all of that. She knows how much it messed us up. She wouldn't put me and Trey through that again.

But.

She put us through it in the first place.

Related Characters: Bri (speaker), Jay / Bri’s Mom, Aunt Pooh, Trey, Supreme, Bri’s Grandma, Sister Daniels
Page Number: 125
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 12 Quotes

I almost roll my eyes. How would these people feel if they knew Milez was here to see how messed up we are to remind him how good he's got it? He's gonna go to his nice house in the suburbs and forget this in a week, tops, while we're still struggling.

My situation shouldn't be his after-school special.

Related Characters: Bri (speaker), Jay / Bri’s Mom, Supreme, Miles / Milez / Rapid
Related Symbols: Bri’s Song, "On the Come Up", Timbs
Page Number: 169-170
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 14 Quotes

"I don't want you to grow up too fast, baby," Jay says. "I did, and it's not something I can ever get back. I want you to enjoy your childhood as much as possible."

"I'd rather grow up than be homeless."

"Hate that you even have to think like that," she murmurs.

Related Characters: Bri (speaker), Jay / Bri’s Mom (speaker), Trey
Related Symbols: Lawless's Chain
Page Number: 193
Explanation and Analysis:

There I am, on the front page of Blackout. They posted a picture from when I was in the Ring. The headline? "Teen Daughter of Murdered Underground Rap Legend Lawless Just Killed Us Her Damn Self with This New Heat!"

Side note: Do I have a name or nah? It's short enough that it could've fit, too.

Related Characters: Bri (speaker), Malik, Curtis, Lawless / Bri’s Dad
Related Symbols: Bri’s Song, "On the Come Up"
Page Number: 199
Explanation and Analysis:

"What's wrong with what you say?"

"I talk about guns and stuff, Curtis. He doesn't want people to think that's me."

"They're gonna think it anyway. If you can get something from this, forget the nonsense and go for it."

Related Characters: Bri (speaker), Curtis (speaker), Malik
Related Symbols: Bri’s Song, "On the Come Up"
Page Number: 201
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 15 Quotes

"You know who the biggest consumers of hip-hop are?"

"White kids in the suburbs," Miles answers dryly, as if he's heard this before.

"Exactly! White kids in the suburbs," Supreme says. "You know what white kids in the suburbs love? Listening to shit that scares their parents. You scare the hell outta their folks, they'll flock to you like birds. The videos from tonight? Gonna scare the hell outta them. Watch your numbers shoot up."

It actually makes sense that white kids in the suburbs will love the videos. But Long and Tate called me a "hoodlum," and I can't seem to shake that word.

Related Characters: Bri (speaker), Supreme (speaker), Miles / Milez / Rapid (speaker), Long, Tate
Related Symbols: Bri’s Song, "On the Come Up"
Page Number: 215
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 16 Quotes

"Pooh and her drug-dealing money, saving the day."

It is kinda messed up. Here my brother is, doing everything right, and nothing's coming from it. Meanwhile, Aunt Pooh's doing everything we've been told not to do, and she's giving us food when we need it.

That's how it goes though. The drug dealers in my neighborhood aren't struggling. Everybody else is.

Related Characters: Bri (speaker), Trey (speaker), Jay / Bri’s Mom, Aunt Pooh
Page Number: 218
Explanation and Analysis:

"But," he says, in a way that tells me to wipe the smile off my face, "although I get the song, now people are gonna take your words at face value. And let's be real: You're clueless about half the shit you rapped about. Clips on your hips?" Trey twists his mouth. "You know damn well you don't know what a clip is, Bri."

"Yes I do!" It's the thingy that goes on the thingy on a gun.

Related Characters: Bri (speaker), Trey (speaker), Jay / Bri’s Mom, Aunt Pooh
Related Symbols: Bri’s Song, "On the Come Up"
Page Number: 221
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 18 Quotes

She's still not listening to me. "If you would just listen to the song—it's not what they made it out to be, I swear. It's about playing into their assumptions about me."

"You don't get that luxury, Brianna! We don't! They never think we're just playing!"

Related Characters: Bri (speaker), Jay / Bri’s Mom
Related Symbols: Bri’s Song, "On the Come Up"
Page Number: 248
Explanation and Analysis:

But it's like how when she does stuff I don't like and says it's "for my own good." This is for hers. I'm willing to do anything to keep that sadness in her eyes from becoming permanent.

Related Characters: Bri (speaker), Jay / Bri’s Mom, Supreme
Related Symbols: Bri’s Song, "On the Come Up", Timbs
Page Number: 257
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 19 Quotes

"That's right, fuck censorship," I say, to three hundred viewers. "They don't get it because it ain't for them to get. Besides, if I am strapped like backpacks, maybe it's 'cause I gotta be, bitch. Ain't my fault if it makes you uncomfortable. I'm uncomfortable every goddamn day of my life."

Related Characters: Bri (speaker), Emily Taylor
Related Symbols: Bri’s Song, "On the Come Up"
Page Number: 267
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 23 Quotes

"The worst thing I've done is become poor, Mrs. Jackson! [...] The worst thing!" she says. "That's it! Excuse me because I have the audacity to be poor!

[...]

You think I want my babies sitting in the dark? I'm trying, Mrs. Jackson! I go on interviews. I withdrew from school so these kids could have food! I begged the church not to let me go. I'm sorry if it's not enough for you, but good Lord, I'm trying!"

Related Characters: Jay / Bri’s Mom (speaker), Bri, Trey, Bri’s Grandma, Bri’s Granddaddy
Page Number: 311
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 24 Quotes

"I want you to look at her for a second, Dr. Cook," Jay says. "Really look at her."

She sets her hand on my back so I have no choice but to stand straight and look him in the eye, too.

"She's sixteen, Dr. Cook," Jay says. "Not a grown woman, not a threat. A child. Do you know how I felt when I was told that two grown men manhandled my child?"

Related Characters: Jay / Bri’s Mom (speaker), Bri, Dr. Cook, Long, Tate
Page Number: 324
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 25 Quotes

"Me and my twin know all the words to your song!" this snaggle-toothed girl pipes up.

I scribble my name for her. "Oh, for real?"

"'Strapped like backpacks, I pull triggers,'" she and her sister squeak. "'All the clips on my hips change my figure.'"

I stop writing.

How old are they? Six? Seven?

Related Characters: Bri (speaker), Jojo
Related Symbols: Bri’s Song, "On the Come Up"
Page Number: 331-32
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 27 Quotes

It's like having a bucket of ice water thrown into my face.

Ratchet hood rat.

Thousands of people just heard me act like that. Millions more may see the video. They won't care that my life is a mess and I had every right to be mad. They'll just see an angry black girl from the ghetto, acting like they expected me to act.

Supreme laughs to himself. "You played the role," he says. "Goddamn, you played the role."

Problem is, I wasn't playing. That's what I've become.

Related Characters: Bri (speaker), Supreme (speaker), DJ Hype
Related Symbols: Bri’s Song, "On the Come Up"
Page Number: 355
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 28 Quotes

"I think about everything we've been through, and if I'd gone through it by myself, I'd probably be where Pooh is right now."

Damn. Aunt Pooh did say she became a GD because she didn't have anyone. Now she's in a jail cell without anyone again. I never realized that Trey could've been like her, with a record instead of a diploma. I know there's so much else that made their lives turn out differently, but he makes it sound like the difference between them was me.

Related Characters: Bri (speaker), Trey (speaker), Aunt Pooh
Page Number: 362
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 31 Quotes

"Do you know what your aunt's biggest problem is?"

I look at the jailhouse. That's kinda obvious at the moment. "She's locked up."

"No. That's not even her biggest problem," says Jay. "Pooh doesn't know who she is, and by not knowing who she is, she doesn't know her worth. So, who are you?"

"What?"

Related Characters: Bri (speaker), Jay / Bri’s Mom (speaker), Aunt Pooh
Page Number: 397
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 32 Quotes

"I'm done being who my dad wants me to be," Miles says. "It's not worth it."

Does he mean what I think he means? "You're giving up your rap career?"

Miles slowly nods. "Yeah. I am. Besides, is it really mine if I'm not being myself?

Related Characters: Bri (speaker), Miles / Milez / Rapid (speaker), Malik, Sonny, Supreme
Related Symbols: "Swagerific"
Page Number: 406
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 33 Quotes

"But I believe she's smarter than that," he says. "Don't you?"

"I know she is."

"Can you act like it then?" I ask, and my voice is super soft. "It's not like anybody else does."

This look of surprise quickly appears in my mom's eyes. Slowly, it's replaced by sadness and, soon, realization.

Related Characters: Bri (speaker), Jay / Bri’s Mom (speaker), Trey (speaker), Lawless / Bri’s Dad
Page Number: 422
Explanation and Analysis: