Dee noticed him before anyone else. She was glad of that, held on to it. It made her feel special to have him to herself for a few seconds, before the world around them skipped a beat and did not recover for the rest of the day.”
-- Dee (Part I )

Importance: This quote, the opening line of the novel, introduces both Dee and her soon-to-be crush O. In both typical Shakespearian and preteen fashion, theirs is a love at first sight story. This pure moment of affection is the high point of the novel, the happiest that the two will ever be, as the remainder of the tragic arc must be a downward spiral from this initial, fleeting moment of bliss.

They looked at each other, and this simple link of letter standing in for their names made them burst out laughing. O had beautiful straight teeth, a flash of light in his dark...
-- Dee (Part I)