Lecture Notes

Introduction

• Everyone works hard from nine to five and often feels drained
• People settle for second best because they fear what the future might hold

Main Story

Family and Financial Struggles

• Protagonist helps her mom with deliveries to support the family
• Mom can’t afford a delivery person and seeks help from her daughter
• The protagonist seeks to balance work and school

Protagonist’s Ambitions and Challenges

• Desires a red dress but can't afford it yet
• Encounters Dana, a school rival who mocks her for being a delivery girl

School Rivalries and Relationships

• Protagonist got the lead in the school play, causing Dana’s grudge
• Dana mocks the protagonist’s financial situation but protagonist stands up to her

Half-brothers and Family Business

• Protagonist’s half-brother Ace is set to become the youngest CEO
• The family's biotech company is struggling and needs new innovative products
• Ace is confident but their father believes the protagonist has the brain for cutting-edge research

Friendship Dynamics and Hidden Feelings

• Protagonist shares worries with BFF Clover while getting distracted by Ace
• Protagonist’s feelings for Dominic and possible misunderstanding with Ace
• Comedy and support between friends

Fake Dating Proposal

• Dominic suggests fake dating to help the protagonist with her romantic writing
• Both pass it off as a joke, creating underlying tension

Major Breakthrough

Research Breakthrough

• Dominic successfully develops a promising medical cure
• The breakthrough could save the family company’s financial issues
• Competition for recognition within the family between Ace and Dominic

Further Complications and High School Drama

• Protagonist faces further bullying from Dana in school
• Margo, a popular and kind girl, shows unusual kindness to the protagonist

Mixed Feelings and Friendship Stress

• Protagonist experiences confusion and misunderstood signals from close friends and family members
• Dominic's busy new status post-research breakthrough affects his relationship with the protagonist

Climax and Resolution

Family Conflict Escalates

• Protagonist’s mom is deeply in debt and facing threats from shady loan sharks
• Protagonist seeks help from friends but finds them unavailable or distant

Unexpected Ally

• Ace surprisingly offers to help the protagonist's mother with her immigration issues
• Protagonist feels surprised by Ace’s kindness despite their strained relationship

Future Uncertainties

• Protagonist feels conflicted by mixed signals from Dominic and Ace
• Protagonist contemplates the potential downfall of Dominic due to an impending threat from Ace revealed at the end