Connie, a typical teenage girl who tries to be like a mature woman, loves dreaming and music. She is rebellious and narcissistic. When Eddie invites her to eat dinner with her, she accepts pleasantly(but she is a little bit hesitant). "... her face gleaming with a joy that had nothing to do with Eddie or even this place"(471). Connie's happiness comes does not come from the boy but the fact that the boy invites her which serves as a affirmation for her appearance. Although she pursues for the unknown adult world, she shrinks when she faces the real situation. On the path of matureness search, she encounters the reality. She realizes that the reality is way serious than her "teenage fantasy".
After Arnold(she does not know his name at this point) says "Gonna get you, baby" to Connie, he is imprinted on her unconsciousness. Though she thinks the boy is weird, she is desired for his come back. Spending a dizzy morning listening to music in the backyard, Arnold comes. Music plays as a bridge between reality and her fantasy. At first, Connie is confused but excited. Though she is looking forward to adulthood, she is demure, principled and careful inside. She keeps defensive but she is not resolute in refusing Arnold. Arnold keeps a mocking and playful attitude all the time even though he transfers from a jerk to a danger to Connie. Connie becomes more and more passive, and Arnold compels her to come out of the house. As Arnold becomes more and more serious and Connie starts to think he is not a human, she sees Ellie's face. Ellie's old face puts Connie in a more dangerous situation. Connie is in a perilous position after Arnold tells her not to touch the phone. Unlike the beginning, she has no choice now.
I am not sure whether Arnold is real or not, but the existence of Arnold represents the contradiction inside Connie. Though I do not know Arnold's intention, I do not think Arnold means harm to Connie.
This story reveals the insecurity of a teenage girl. But people meant to be insecure to live in the society.
(I did not get the meaning of drawing of the "X" and words on Arnold's car.)
