Chapters 1-9 Summary

In Chapter 1, Ellie Wrigley, sixteen, works with her friend Brad at a coffee and pastry shop, Mon Coeur. Brad is determined to find Ellie a boyfriend, but Ellie shrugs it off. Secretly, Ellie wants a boyfriend. A macho guy comes into the coffee shop and hits on Ellie, but she casually dismisses it. Two sisters come into the coffee shop, happy and enjoying one another's company. It disheartens Ellie.

In Chapter 2, Mon Coeur is located in the rich town of Edgebridge, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. Ellie's best friend, Amanda, also works there, at a used clothing shop called Attic. Amanda's family is well-off, and live two minutes away from the town. Ellie's family is less well off. Amanda is planning a party for that night, and so the girls dress up. They borrow clothing from the store, but always return...