Finally

Rory learns an important lesson about herself: She has a special talent for really observing other people and understanding what they need. At first, Rory does not value this ability: Instead of seeing the good she does for others, she only sees how she tends to fade into the background, unnoticed. She is not surprised when her classmates and teacher fail to realize that she is missing when she falls into the drainpipe at the reservoir, because she knows that even her close friends often fail to notice when she is not around.

Many of the items on her list of longed-for privileges show Rory’s discomfort with always being in the background. She hopes that makeup, contact lenses, and pierced ears will make her more conventionally attractive and draw others’ attention. Ironically, becoming the center of attention is exactly what happens—just not in the way that Rory expects. The mangled legs, allergic swelling, and eye patch she gets after trying out shaving, makeup, contact lenses, and pierced ears certainly make people notice her, but not in the way Rory wants. After several weeks of this, Rory realizes that she is more comfortable being in the background.

The movie filming subplot explores the difference between being in the foreground and in the background as well. Rory’s experiences as an extra also show her that there are advantages to not deliberately seeking the spotlight. Jake and Madison, the movie’s stars, are under considerable pressure. Everyone watches their every move and gossips about their appearance and their relationship. Security people accompany them almost everywhere they go. The two fight bitterly about whether fame is a more important goal than honing their craft. Rory realizes that, although she is embarrassed about the attention her various mishaps bring her, her situation is nothing like Jake’s, for whom any injury or accident becomes the subject of national attention.

Rory’s ability to fade into the background is also an important part of her special ability to notice others. As Leo points out, “there are no such things as coincidences” (245). Rory is often overlooked because she is observing others’ needs. One of the functions of the more magical characters in the novel—Leo, Amanda, and Angelina—is to notice Rory when other people cannot and to help her understand the connection between being “invisible” and being a good observer. “That’s sort of your thing, ya know? […] how you see things,” Amanda tells Rory (275). “Truly being able to see the needs of others around you, that is a rare gift,” Angelina tells her (292).

Amanda, Angelina, and Leo’s beliefs about Rory are borne out by the plot. Rory demonstrates keen insight into family, friends, and even complete strangers. She understands intuitively that her parents are struggling with her growing up and need compassion. Annabelle feels that Rory “[sees] into me”(295) and makes Annabelle feel good about herself in a way that other people cannot. Rory notices that Emily St. Claire is lonely and goes out of her way to indulge the younger girl. After realizing that Kira is embarrassed about her intense crush on Jake, Rory reassure Kira—and later, orchestrates a kiss between Kira and Jake. Rory helps various members of Angelina’s family get a job, get an audition, buy dog food, capture their runaway dog, and more. She is able to help so many people in so many ways because she has a special gift for noticing others and their needs and has the generous impulse to make their lives better.