7. Adrian says he found solace in fiction, and that he learned about bravery, friendship, compassion, and loyalty from books. Have you ever had a similar feeling toward a book or books? Which one(s)?
8. In Chapter 16, Caitlin says velvet is a difficult fabric to work with because, “If you messed up, you had to cut it off and start all over. That’s just how velvet was.” How do you think this relates to the story?
9. Mariana is over a hundred years old, and has become a skilled cook in that time. If you could live forever, what skills would you want to perfect?
10. Have you ever played Obscure Hangman? If you haven’t, go do that right now.
What if you were fated to NEVER fall in love?
When Fallon Dupree's (100% accurate) love fortune from Zita's Love Charms says that she will never find love, she's devastated. But a rebellion is brewing and other students, including notorious heartbreaker Sebastian, are fighting back.
A LINE SNAKED THROUGH VERBEKE SQUARE, curving through a maze of café tables and around vendor stalls. The line began in front of Zita’s Lovely Love Charms shop, the only shop in a row of old brick buildings that sold something other than lace.
Zita’s shop had been painted a shade of pink lemonade with bow windows and a second story used only as a backlit display of Zita’s finest love charms that glittered with gemstones and gold. Sunlight made the shop gleam beside its drab companions. No one looked at the lace while they waited for their fortunes.
“Nico better be at the front of the line,” Anais said. “My sandals aren’t made for standing.”
Fallon glanced at her friend’s flat, faux-leather shoes. They looked cobbled together by a blind shoemaker, not a factory, and she doubted that the straps would last the walk back without breaking. “I’m sure he’s got us a good spot.”
The majority of the line consisted of Grimbaud High students. Tradition dictated that every high school student get a love fortune before the beginning of each school year. This particular love fortune was different than the other charms sold in Zita’s shop: It foretold your romantic future for the entire school year. Zita’s one hundred percent accuracy kept the townspeople coming back to her shop.
The line moved, releasing a smattering of students trying to process their fortunes. Some cried–good tears or bad–while others stared at their ticker-tape fortunes with stunned disbelief. The students with the best fortunes glowed like stars, one step away from dancing on the cobblestones. Nico stood in the middle of the line, twisting his damp shirt in his tanned fingers. He had brown hair burned gold from the sun and a sinewy body.
“Couldn’t you have gotten here earlier?” Anais said, pinching his arm.
“Hey! It doesn’t make a difference. The line’s been here since dawn. Just be glad you’re not in the back of the line,” Nico said, “because I’m nice enough to let you cut me.”
“Did you eat breakfast?”
“Nah. I can’t stomach it.” Nico rubbed the back of his head; his fingers paused over the thinning hair.
Fallon and Anais squeezed in front of Nico in line, much to the chagrin of the students behind him.
“After we all get wonderful fortunes,” Anais said, “we’ll have to indulge in a good brunch.”
Nico pressed a hand to his mouth. “Please don’t talk about food.”
Fallon worried about the green tinge of his skin. “Sit down right now,” she said, placing her hands on his shoulders. “Put your head between your legs.”
Nico obeyed. He gulped down a few deep breaths before struggling to his feet again.
“Could you be seasick?” Anais teased.
“Not possible. Sailing the canals is nothing like the sea. The water’s smooth, like gliding on mirrors.”
“The better to see your bald spot with.”
Nico rolled his eyes. “I’m just excited, okay? And out-of-my-mind nervous. This could be the year I get Martin’s attention. Or not. Oh God, or not.”
“Deep breaths,” Fallon warned.
“You don’t understand,” he said. “Martin broke up with Camille over the summer. I might have a chance.”
Fallon had only known Nico for a month, having been introduced to him through Anais, but she already felt invested in his longtime crush on Martin Pauwels, the student government president. As a sophomore, Nico had secured the unwanted position of treasurer, enabling him to work side by side with Martin during the new school year.