Merci is in eighth grade now at Seaward Pines, at the top of the middle school food chain. But while Hannah, Lena, and Edna have lots of classes together, Merci has a different schedule (although at least she has some classes with Wilson. Who she's starting to have feelings for...). Merci wonders if her teammates, especially cool girl Avery, will become friends off the field, too, but it doesn't seem to happen, and on the eighth grade field trip, Merci realizes who her true friends are.

At home, life is complicated as well: Lolo is getting worse, but Abuela refuses help from outside the family, putting a strain on everyone, including Roli, who is home for the semester to work and earn the money to go back to college. The twins' father reappears, sort of, raising their hopes but not living up to them.

A fitting end to the trilogy. Merci (and her family) have grown and changed.

Quotes

It's like she doesn't understand the basic facts of life: It is never a good thing when you are separated from your herd in the wild. (46)

But what about the old me? I wonder. Where will she go? (82)

It's like your head thinks the right thing, but your feelings refuse to match up. (106)

"Does it hurt to die?"
Roli thinks for a moment. "Sometimes," he says. "But it didn't hurt Lolo. It's mostly us who are hurting because we miss him." (313) ( )