1. “‘As we leave, I remember how Khalil used to run up to the car when I was about to go, the sun shining on the grease lines that separated his cornrows. The glimmer in his eyes would be just as bright. He’d knock on the window, I’d let it down, and he’d say with a snaggletooth grin, “See you later, alligator.” Back then I’d giggle behind my own snaggleteeth. Now I tear up. Good-byes hurt the most when the other person’s already gone. I imagine him standing at my window, and I smile for his sake. “After a while crocodile’” (66). a. After Khalil was shot and killed, Starr’s family decided to visit his house and give some money to his family. Khalil and Starr’s family have been very close and have been ever since Starr’s mom was a child. Khalil’s…show more content… Starr explains throughout the book that she wishes her and Khalil stayed close as they both grew up. They were still friends at the time of his death, but it was not the same as when they were children. Starr continues to have flashbacks of her a Khalil’s memories, but this was one was particularly special. In the second to last sentence she says, “Good-byes hurt the most when the other person’s already gone.” After she lost Khalil, she learned a lot about herself and how to make the most of what she has left. That sentence can apply to any reader, and it sends a strong message. This important flashback symbolized how much she truly has cared about him all her life, even if she didn’t show…show more content… I found this new piece of the story shocking but also frustrating. I wanted Starr or DeVante to report this to help win the trial, however, they couldn’t because knowing how powerful the King is, they both could get killed. This book builds characters as the story continues on, and I noticed Khalil’s family-oriented personality started to show in DeVante’s story. Khalil’s character wasn’t talked about before his death, but every story adds something different to his image. He did anything to keep his family safe and somewhat stable.
4. “I hit at Hailey with my fists, and she slaps and claws me upside my head. I push her off, and she hits the floor. Her skirt goes up, and her pink drawers are out for everybody to see. Laughter erupts around us. Some people have their phones out” (341). a. Recently, Hailey has been avoiding Starr and Maya at school ever since they addressed her continuous racist comments. She also became very rude and defensive once Starr comes near her. At school she came up to them and starts talking about Khalil to the both of them. Hailey only knows Khalil from the news, so she has the portrayal of him as the majority of people do, an up-to-no-good drug dealer who should’ve been killed. She even said, “He was a drug dealer and a gangbanger. Somebody was going to kill him eventually” (341). Soon after a few more comments like that one, Starr moved Maya out of the way and punched Hailey in the
