Aza’s Inner World
What does Aza’s fear of bacteria cause her to do right after she and Davis kiss in Chapter 12?
She panics and immediately washes her hands and opened her wound.
In Chapter 12, why does Daisy get upset with Aza?
Aza criticizes Daisy’s spending and behavior, making Daisy feel judged and unappreciated.
What major purchase does Daisy make in Chapter 12?
A: A new car, showing her excitement about the reward money and her impulsive side.
The microbiome/bacteria motif represents what for Aza?
A: Her fear of losing control and being invaded by something she can’t stop.
What does Aza mean when she says, “I can’t tell if I’m real”?
A: She feels detached from herself, struggling to trust her own mind.
In Chapter 8, what metaphor does Aza use to describe her sense of control over herself?
She compares herself to a puppet controlled by bacteria—she doesn’t feel fully in charge of her own body.
How does Aza’s mom’s reaction to Davis visiting create tension?
Her mom worries Davis will distract Aza or worsen her mental-health spiral, showing overprotection.
What excuse does Aza use when she leaves during her panic after kissing Davis?
A: She says she needs the bathroom, hiding her anxiety attack.
The “callus” or wound Aza keeps reopening symbolizes what? (Aza's sore on her finger)
A: Her compulsion to focus on pain she can control when her mind feels uncontrollable.
Davis says, “A change, even a good change, is stressful.” What does that reveal?
A: Even positive experiences cause anxiety when you fear losing control.
During therapy in Chapters 8–9, what reassurance does Dr. Singh give Aza about her thoughts?
That she is not her thoughts; intrusive thoughts don’t define who she is.
What new problem complicates Aza and Davis’s relationship?
Aza’s intrusive thoughts make physical affection distressing for her, confusing both of them.
What text or resource does Aza read about bacterial transmission?
A: Online medical articles and Wikipedia, which feed her obsessive fears.
What does the spiral image show about Aza’s thoughts?
A: They loop endlessly inward—she can’t find where they start or stop.
Dr. Singh’s quote about intimacy suggests what about Aza?
A: She fears emotional and physical closeness because it threatens her sense of safety.
How does Aza’s use (or avoidance) of medication affect her sense of identity?
She worries medicine will change who she truly is, making her question whether the “real” Aza would disappear.
How do Daisy’s financial decisions affect her friendship with Aza?
A: Daisy spends some of the reward money impulsively, and Aza feels betrayed or left out, straining trust.
How does Noah’s situation increase Aza’s and Davis’s stress?
A: His loneliness and emotional struggles make Davis feel responsible, adding guilt and tension.
The idea that bacteria live forever inside her symbolizes what deeper fear?
A: That she’ll never escape her illness or be “clean” or separate.
When Aza tells Daisy she’s trying her best, what theme does this highlight?
A: Compassion vs. misunderstanding—how mental illness affects friendship.
Why is Aza conflicted about taking medication to “be herself”?
Because she can’t tell whether treating her OCD means fixing her mind or erasing the parts that make her her.
How does Daisy’s fan-fiction portrayal of Aza deepen the conflict between them?
A: It exposes Daisy’s frustrations and makes Aza realize Daisy sees her as self-absorbed, hurting their bond.
What event in Chapter 12 marks a turning point in Aza and Davis’s relationship?
A: Their kiss followed by Aza’s breakdown—revealing how love and fear collide in her world.
How does Aza’s focus on her physical self connect to her emotional isolation?
A: Her body becomes both her prison and her proof of existence—she seeks certainty through sensation.
Choose one quote about spirals or control and explain how it shows Aza’s struggle.
A: Any valid example linking her intrusive thoughts to the novel’s central metaphor earns full credit.