At the beginning of the book:
* Silent and withdrawn: Melinda is deeply traumatized by the events of the previous summer, leading her to shut down emotionally and socially. She isolates herself, barely speaks, and seems detached from her surroundings.
* Haunted by guilt and shame: She blames herself for what happened and struggles with feelings of worthlessness and inadequacy.
* Angry and resentful: Melinda harbors anger towards those she feels have wronged her, particularly Andy Evans and her friends who abandoned her after the party.
Throughout the book:
* Gradual self-discovery: Through art therapy, she begins to express her feelings and experiences, leading to a gradual understanding of her trauma and its impact.
* Building connections: Melinda slowly starts to form connections with people who understand her, such as Mr. Freeman and Rachel. These relationships offer support and validation.
* Facing her fears: Melinda takes small steps to confront her fears, such as standing up to Andy and confronting the truth about the party.
* Finding her voice: The process of self-discovery empowers Melinda to reclaim her voice and express herself, both through her art and verbally.
By the end of the book:
* Stronger and more resilient: While still dealing with the aftermath of her trauma, Melinda emerges as a stronger and more resilient individual. She has gained a sense of self-worth and learned to advocate for herself.
* Hopeful and optimistic: Though the journey is ongoing, Melinda ends the book with a sense of hope and optimism for the future. She has learned to embrace her voice and find strength in her vulnerability.
Overall, Melinda's transformation is a powerful testament to the healing power of self-expression and the importance of finding support and understanding. Her journey highlights the challenges of surviving trauma and the long road to recovery, while emphasizing the importance of facing fears and seeking help.