Abby Suso Character Analysis in Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

Abby is one of Simon's best friends, though he hasn't known her long; she and her mom moved to Atlanta area right before the start of the school year. Like most of the black kids at school, Abby has to take the bus to and from school about an hour each way, given the way that the Atlanta metro area is still segregated. She's extremely smart, takes mostly AP classes, and is an exceptional actress and dancer. According to Simon, Abby is the object of most boys' affections, and Martin is no exception—his feelings for Abby are what cause him to blackmail Simon in the first place. Abby, however, doesn't have feelings for Martin and instead, has a crush on Nick. The crush bubbles under the surface until January, when Simon gets grounded, and Abby and Nick take the opportunity alone to start a relationship. Abby is the first person that Simon comes out to; he feels as though he can try on this new part of his identity with her in a way he couldn't with his long-time friends Nick and Leah. She's extremely supportive and keeps his secret. When Simon is forcibly outed over Christmas break, Abby and Leah take it upon themselves to glare at anyone who looks at Simon funny, and Abby also chases bullies out of the auditorium when they come to taunt Simon. Abby and Simon fight when she finds out that Simon went along with Martin's blackmail, despite knowing that Abby wasn't at all romantically interested in Martin. She succinctly tells Simon that he can't control who she dates. The two make up later, and she's extremely excited when she finds out that Simon and Bram are dating.

Abby Suso Quotes in Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

The Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda quotes below are all either spoken by Abby Suso or refer to Abby Suso. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

The problem is, I'm beginning to realize I hardly know anything about anyone. I mean I generally know who's a virgin. But I don't have a clue whether most people's parents are divorced, or what their parents do for a living […] And these are my best friends. I've always thought of myself as nosy, but I guess I'm just nosy about stupid stuff.

Related Characters: Simon Spier (speaker), Blue / Bram, Abby Suso, Leah, Nick

Page Number and Citation: 211

Explanation and Analysis:

“I feel stupid for not knowing that,” I say.

“Why would you feel stupid? I guess I never mentioned it.”

“But I never asked.”

Related Characters: Simon Spier (speaker), Abby Suso (speaker), Blue / Bram

Page Number and Citation: 215

Explanation and Analysis:

“But they're supposed to be Alice and Nora. They're not supposed to be different,” I explain.

“They're not allowed to change?” Abby laughs. “But you're changing. You're different than you were five months ago.”

“I'm not different!"

“Simon, I just watched you pick up a random guy in a gay bar. You're wearing eyeliner. And you're completely wasted.”

Related Characters: Simon Spier (speaker), Abby Suso (speaker), Nick, Alice Spier, Nora Spier

Page Number and Citation: 235

Explanation and Analysis:

“It's just, you know. I get that you were in a difficult position. But you don't get to make the decisions about my love life. I choose who I date.” She shrugs. “I would think you would understand that.”

Related Characters: Abby Suso (speaker), Simon Spier, Martin Addison

Page Number and Citation: 253

Explanation and Analysis:

It's weird, because of all the things I feel guilty about, it never occurred to me to feel guilty about Abby. But I'm a fucking idiot. Because who you like can't be forced or persuaded or manipulated. If anyone knows that, it's me.

I'm a shitty friend.

Related Characters: Simon Spier (speaker), Martin Addison, Abby Suso

Page Number and Citation: 254-55

Explanation and Analysis:

Abby Suso Character Timeline in Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

The timeline below shows where the character Abby Suso appears in Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...Martin admits he took a screenshot of the emails, mentions that Simon is friends with Abby Suso, and casually suggests that Simon could help him talk to Abby. (full context)

...why this is a problem and asks that Simon just invite him to things when Abby is going to be there. Simon thinks Martin might put the email screenshots on creeksecrets,... (full context)

Family, Change, and Growing Up Theme Icon

...and heads out for a walk. He thinks it makes sense that Martin is into Abby, because every "geeky straight boy" is. The fall air helps Simon calm down, as does... (full context)

...Leah look very in love with him. Simon explains that this is why Leah hates Abby—Nick has a very obvious crush on Abby. Simon thinks that helping Martin woo Abby might... (full context)

...six-person table. Martin sighs that he thought they were on the same page with the "Abby thing," and Simon growls that Martin needs to let him talk to Abby himself. (full context)

Days pass, and Simon says nothing to Abby. He does his best to avoid Martin by sticking close to Nick and Leah. One... (full context)

...know Martin at all, but he severely underestimated him. Finally, Simon says he'll talk to Abby and angrily agrees to exchange phone numbers with Martin. (full context)

...back inside, Ms. Albright calls for Simon and some other actors to rehearse a scene. Abby hugs Simon and tells him that she's in "Taylor hell," referring to lead actress Taylor... (full context)

After rehearsal, Simon sits with Abby, who has to wait for a bus to take her an hour across town. All... (full context)

...is conveniently on a Friday, is infectious. He wears cat ears and a tail, and Abby comes home with him after school so they can carpool with Nick and Leah to... (full context)

...Apples to Apples. Leah declines Garrett's offer of alcohol, while Simon accepts a beer and Abby asks for vodka and orange juice. Nick runs to find a guitar, leaving Simon standing... (full context)

...the lid over the piano keys. Nick returns with a guitar and sits down. Simon, Abby, and Leah sit on the floor nearby. As Simon drinks, he thinks his beer isn't... (full context)

...that everyone's ancestors are from all over the world. He tries to talk about where Abby is from and wonders if knowing nothing about Africa makes him racist. She answers that... (full context)

Abby pulls Nick up to dance. Martin jumps up too and insists that everyone needs to... (full context)

At midnight, Leah drops everyone off at Nick's house and Abby and Simon walk to Simon's house. He observes the smashed pumpkins and toilet paper littering... (full context)

Mom greets Simon and Abby when they arrive with a plate of snacks. Abby tells her about everyone's costumes, and... (full context)

...skirts, and is especially surprised that Bram, who is extremely quiet and shy, dressed up. Abby arrives late to class, laughs at the boys on the couch, and accuses Simon and... (full context)

...Simon agrees, excited to be in the stands with Blue, but Leah looks angry. When Abby sits down and starts talking about the game, Leah abruptly leaves. (full context)

...stadium lights are. The excitement in the air makes Simon understand why Blue likes homecoming. Abby races up and asks Nick and Simon if they want to walk in the parade,... (full context)

...hats, as one must wear a hat to get a piece. Simon is surprised when Abby tapes a gold bowtie to his chest as Leah cuts the cake. The cake is... (full context)

At rehearsal that afternoon, Abby is frantically and silently running lines when Simon interrupts her. He assures her that she'll... (full context)

...a big deal that Simon is the self-professed "most blasphemous person in the world." Later, Abby tries to ask Simon where his mind is, but Martin interrupts. He mentions that he'd... (full context)

On Friday night, Simon sits across from Abby and Martin at Waffle House. Martin asks Abby all sorts of silly questions, all while... (full context)

The following Friday, Abby and Simon arrive at the Waffle House first. Martin arrives a few minutes later, promptly... (full context)

Two hours later, as Simon and Abby climb into Simon's car, he feels strangely electric and excited. They listen to Leah's birthday... (full context)

...which makes Simon's heart clench given Blue's affinity for superheroes. Simon looks up to see Abby looking at him knowingly, so he gives her the stink eye. (full context)

Abby and Taylor have a go on the chairs, and when they're done, Abby collapses into... (full context)

...he came out. She hands him his phone, which shows notifications of multiple texts from Abby assuring him she didn't tell anyone. (full context)

...Addison's brother, is the one who posted on creeksecrets. He briefly explains that Martin likes Abby and thinks that Abby has a crush on Simon. Alice comes out of the restaurant... (full context)

...over in the future, which makes Simon angry. Regardless, the party proceeds as Nick, Leah, Abby, and Simon's parties usually do. Nick pulls out a guitar and in a lull, Leah... (full context)

...but he doesn't want it to be a big deal. Nick simply says "okay," which Abby finds an inadequate response. She suggests that Nick say something supportive or hold Simon's hand... (full context)

Abby and Leah shoot dirty looks at anyone who looks at Simon funny throughout the day.... (full context)

...and gay sex. Simon feels as though he's watching from far away as Taylor and Abby race towards the boys, with Ms. Albright close behind them. Simon notices that Martin is... (full context)

Abby is stuck at school until the late bus arrives, and Simon feels somehow responsible. They... (full context)

...sarcastically notes that Shady Creek isn't exactly progressive. Martin responds that he was upset about Abby, his brother got upset when he found out, and Martin deleted the screenshots long ago.... (full context)

...the next day in English, when he walks into the classroom to find Nick on Abby's lap. Nick wants to know all about Cal, and Simon doesn't know how to explain... (full context)

...and tapes up cast lists photos in the atrium. Simon gets dressed and then finds Abby to do his makeup. As Abby puts on Simon's eyeliner, he asks why her dad... (full context)

Abby finishes Simon's makeup with a flurry of powder and tells him he looks extremely attractive.... (full context)

As Abby and Simon peek at the audience and point out Nick and Leah, they notice Cal... (full context)

...about Martin, but keeps coming back to his belief that Martin is clearly not gay. Abby appears, interrupts Simon, and tells him to leave some of the eyeliner on. She says... (full context)

Abby and Simon meet Nick in the parking lot. Abby asks if they've talked to Leah,... (full context)

There's a short wait, during which Simon, Abby, and Nick giggle over the menu items, all of which are innuendos. Simon tries to... (full context)

...in high school. Simon admits he's only seventeen. Peter steers Simon into the restaurant to Abby and Nick, deposits him in the booth, and hugs him goodbye. Simon digs into his... (full context)

Nick and Abby walk Simon to the car as Simon talks about how cute Peter was. He says... (full context)

Simon tells Abby he loves her and invites her to be his sister, insisting he needs new ones—Alice... (full context)

...shows that he's drunk. He starts laughing uncontrollably. Dad makes Simon sit down, makes sure Abby didn't drink and drive, and then Mom goes outside to send Abby home. Dad insists... (full context)

When Simon goes back to school on Tuesday, Abby is waiting for him, worried. Simon explains his parents took his phone and grounded him.... (full context)

...On Thursday, Simon finally catches Leah coming out of the bathroom. She asks if he, Abby, and Nick had fun on Friday. Simon apologizes, but Leah isn't willing to accept it.... (full context)

Simon is nervous on opening night. He changes early and waits for Abby to arrive so she can do his eyeliner. She's in a strange mood when she... (full context)

The play goes well, but Abby disappears immediately afterwards. Simon feels miserable. Dad gives Simon a ridiculous bouquet and asks on... (full context)

...come and gone, but busies himself buying tickets and riding all the rides. He notices Abby and Nick sitting on a curb, surrounded by stuffed animals that Abby won for Nick.... (full context)

...concentrate. He looks onto Bram's book and their knees touch as they read. After class, Abby comments that she didn't know Simon and Bram were good friends. (full context)

...store and tells Simon to go find a pint of milk. Simon ignores texts from Abby and does as he's told. When he and Bram reconvene, Bram has gotten mini Oreo... (full context)

The next day, Abby asks Simon what's going on with Bram. Simon blushes, and Abby tells him he's cute... (full context)

...and asks if their friendship is over. Leah accuses Simon of being platonically obsessed with Abby and calls Abby an upgraded female best friend. She refuses to listen when Simon assures... (full context)

...Martin felt weird about all that, and also admits that he felt desperate about liking Abby. He admits that he's jealous that Abby befriended Simon over anyone else. Martin apologizes again,... (full context)

...takes Bram's hand. The talent show comprises mostly of girls singing Adele songs, and then Abby dances alone with a violin accompanist. She dances beautifully, and then the curtains close for... (full context)

...and Dad give her a bouquet, and they all join one huge group with Bram, Abby, and Theo. Leah admits to Simon that she's been teaching herself drums for two years.... (full context)