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Confirmation Class
"The whole first class, I touch my tongue to the word violation, like it's a fruit I've never tasted, that's already gone in my mouth" (Acevedo 26). -
First Day of School
"I am one of hundreds who every day are sifted through like flour through doors. And I keep my head down, and I cause no waves"(Acevedo 35). Xiomara's first day of school greeted her with catcalls and derogatory comments about her body. Here, she first explains how she keeps quiet and doesn't cause anything. -
First Meeting Aman
"Near the end of class, as we both stare at the board, I let my arm rest against his. It seems safe, our silence"(Acevedo 70). This is the first time X has felt something towards a boy. Her mother has always told her that she cannot be around men, so Xiomara has grown up believing that they are evil and off-limits. -
Spoken Word
On page 76, Xiomara's teacher, Ms. Galiano, introduces her to spoken word poetry. X finds it fascinating that the poet expresses her emotions through that platform. She feels drawn to learn more about the art and her teacher invites her to poetry club. -
The Park with Aman
Xiomara and Aman go to the park to hangout for the first time on page 96. They listen to the J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar albums and compare to music. Xiomara continues to have feelings for Aman but later states that her parents are extremely strict and she is not allowed to date. -
Confirmation Class (again)
"I think it all just seems like bullshit. So I say so. Out loud. To Father Sean"(Acevedo 119). After going to a few classes, Xiomara is not agreeing with what the church is teaching her. She finally decides to stop being quiet and ask about what she is being taught. This is a huge step for her as a developing character as she is beginning to think for herself. -
The Party
Xiomara sneaks off to go to a party with Aman. She tells her mother that she is going out with her twin brother, Xavier, but instead, she goes to a Halloween party with Aman. This is significant because it is the first time that Xiomara makes this big of a rebellious move against her mother. -
Mami's Punishment
This incident is the turning point of the novel. Xiomara's mom finds out about Aman on page 192. She yells and yells at her and throws many insults her way. She makes X kneel on rice until her knees have permanent indents. She screams many insults at her and no one says anything. -
Poetry Club
After the incident, Xiomara's mother has been making her go to confirmation class every day. At the same time, Xiomara agrees to join poetry club. There are many times that the two meetings interfere with each other, so she begins to skip the church and go to poetry club instead. On page 259, Xiomara puts herself out there and shares her first spoken word poetry. -
Open Mic Night
On page 276, Xiomara goes to Nuyorican Poets Cafe for open mic night. Xiomara stands up to present her poem and does it very well. She is invited to go to a youth poetry competition and told that her poem is very powerful. -
The notebook
"Mami is sitting on the edge of my bed with my notebook cradled between her hands"(Acevedo 300). During this moment, her mother had read all the poems about Xiomara's adventures and feelings towards her. She takes the notebook into her room and burns it with a match to get rid of all the poetry because she considers it a sin. -
Aman's house
After the fight with her mom, Xiomara runs to Aman's house. They began to do stuff, but Xiomara didn't feel comfortable, so they stopped. She is surprised when the boy comforts her and helps her when she says to stop instead of kicking her out. Xiomara begins to realize that her mother was wrong about the nature of boys. -
Slam Poem
After a while, Xiomara and her mom decided to put aside their differences and talk to Xiomara. They know they will never be friends, but worked everything out to that point where they can live together. She even comes to one of Xiomara's open mic events and allow Xiomara to see Aman.