P46

 In this passage, the difficult phrases and their meanings are:

• "She laughed under her breath."

  This means she laughed softly and quietly, almost so no one else could hear. It's often done when someone finds something amusing or ironic, but they don't want to laugh out loud.

• "...as if a family member had died."

  This is an idiom used to describe a look of great shock, sadness, or disappointment. Allie's parents were so upset and serious that their expressions resembled those of people mourning a death.

• "our future is dictated by what we are, as opposed to what we want."

  This is a statement about social class and destiny. Allie's mother is suggesting that their family's social standing and who they "are" in society determines their path in life. She is implying that Allie should choose a partner who fits their social status, not just someone she loves. "What we want" refers to personal desires and feelings, which the mother believes are less important than social expectations.

• "That status is more important than feelings."

  This phrase summarizes the harsh lesson Allie feels she learned from her mother. Status here means a person's social position, wealth, or reputation. Allie believes her mother's actions taught her that a person's social standing is valued more highly than genuine emotions or love.

• "There's not much difference."

  Noah says this in response to Allie's explanation that her parents didn't dislike him, they just didn't think he "deserved" her. He is saying that from his perspective, being thought of as unworthy is essentially the same as being disliked. He sees it as a subtle but equally hurtful form of rejection.