Contents
High School
Overview
Via reflects on starting high school, valuing anonymity and the chance to be known as Olivia rather than August’s sister. She recalls how visible August was in her early schooling, the long-standing bond with Miranda and Ella, and their shared acceptance to Faulkner. Now, despite expectations, tension grows within the trio, hinting at shifting identities and friendships.
Summary
Via opens by contrasting home with school, explaining that middle school let her be “Olivia Pullman” instead of “Via,” the family nickname tied to August. In elementary school, August was ever-present at PS 22 events, so everyone knew their family and associated Via with him.
In middle school, not everyone knew about August. Via admits people likely discussed his facial differences behind her back, a label she hates but accepts as part of her life. She craves not to be defined solely as August’s sister.
Starting high school, Via appreciates that almost no one knows her history. Only Miranda and Ella do, and they understand not to center conversations around August.
Via recounts her deep friendship with Miranda and Ella since first grade. They embraced her name change to Olivia and grew up playing with Auggie, dressing him up and finding him “adorably cute,” even joking he looked like E.T. in a wig.
She describes their middle school status as a comfortable, well-liked trio and celebrates that all three were accepted to Faulkner High, a rare feat. However, now that they are actually in high school, dynamics feel off, and their friendship isn’t unfolding as she expected.
Who Appears
- Olivia "Via" PullmanNarrator; starts high school seeking identity apart from August; recalls past visibility of Auggie and her trio’s shifting dynamic.
- MirandaVia’s longtime friend; knows August well; part of the trio accepted to Faulkner; relationship with Via now feels strained.
- EllaVia’s longtime friend; part of the trio; shares history of dressing up Auggie; high school brings unexpected distance.
- August "Auggie" PullmanVia’s brother; once a fixture at her elementary school; central to how others define Via, which she resists.