Andrew in Dating and Dragons: Quinn’s Protective Brother and Kashvi’s Boyfriend

Overview of Andrew Norton in Dating and Dragons

Andrew Norton is Quinn's fifteen-year-old brother and a supporting character in Kristy Boyce's Dating and Dragons. He's a soccer player who initially seems self-absorbed and dismissive of his sister's interests, but his protective instincts emerge when he sees Quinn getting close to Logan. Over the course of the novel, Andrew transitions from a distant sibling to someone who actively watches out for Quinn, and he begins a relationship with Kashvi, Quinn's new best friend.

Andrew's arc is one of the quieter transformations in the book. He doesn't narrate, so readers see him only through Quinn's eyes, but his actions reveal a more caring side than his casual exterior suggests. His growth connects to several of the novel's central themes, including found family through shared hobby, rebuilding trust after betrayal, and reinvention and starting over.

Plot Role

Andrew serves several functions in the story. Early on, he's a source of frustration for Quinn—abandoning her on her first day of school and disappearing whenever their parents drop them off. His presence at soccer games gives Quinn a reason to invite Kashvi along, which deepens their friendship. Later, Andrew becomes a complicating factor when he warns Logan off and when Quinn discovers he's dating Kashvi. His protective confrontation with Logan in Chapter 23 forces Quinn to confront her feelings and reveals Andrew's hidden concern for her wellbeing.

Andrew also connects to the family subplot. When their parents discuss moving Grandma to a retirement community, Andrew objects alongside Quinn, showing a caring side beneath his casual exterior. His relationship with Kashvi creates both tension and resolution in the story's final act.

Motivations and Traits Shown Through Actions

Andrew's behavior reveals several key traits:

Initially self-absorbed. On Quinn's first day at Laurelburg High, Andrew abandons her in the parking lot and runs inside. He disappears immediately when their father drops them off before sunrise. Quinn describes him as popular and notes he found a large group of friends within three weeks of moving.

Protective. Despite his initial distance, Andrew's protective side emerges. When he catches Logan and Quinn alone in the kitchen, he warns Logan off, comparing him to the people who hurt Quinn in her old D&D group. He admits he watched the livestream out of curiosity and concern, and that Quinn's misery after her old group motivated their parents' decision to move.

Emotionally guarded. Quinn notes that her family doesn't share emotions with each other. Andrew deflects emotional moments with humor or embarrassment, as when Quinn thanks him for caring and he responds that any brother would do it, calling it part of the code.

Interested in Kashvi. Andrew reveals he knows Kashvi from biology lab and seems interested in her. He waves enthusiastically at her during his soccer game, and later goes on a coffee date with her.

Athletic and socially successful. Andrew plays forward on his indoor soccer team and is described as popular. His social ease contrasts with Quinn's more solitary nature, highlighting their different personalities.

Chronological Arc

Early chapters (1–6): Andrew is distant and self-focused. He abandons Quinn at school, disappears when dropped off, and leaves for soccer conditioning. When their parents discuss moving Grandma to a retirement community, Andrew objects but doesn't engage deeply in the conversation.

Middle chapters (13–14): Andrew reveals he knows Kashvi from biology lab. At his indoor soccer game, he spots Kashvi and waves enthusiastically. Quinn notices his interest and is surprised by it.

Chapter 23: Andrew comes home early after his coach gets sick and catches Logan and Quinn alone. He warns Logan off, revealing he watched the livestream and saw the hurtful chat comments. He admits Quinn's misery motivated the family's move and that he didn't like seeing her that way. Quinn realizes Andrew was actually watching the livestream to see Kashvi.

Chapters 29–30: Quinn discovers Andrew on a coffee date with Kashvi. After the initial confrontation, they reconcile. Andrew agrees to be supportive of Quinn's relationship with Logan and shares personal details—his favorite movie is Deadpool and his lucky number is 11, his jersey number.

Epilogue: Three months later, Andrew arrives at the retirement community with Kashvi, showing he's become more involved in Quinn's world. He pretends to vomit when Quinn and Logan kiss, but his presence at the D&D session for Grandma and her friends shows his growth.

Relationships

Quinn. The central relationship for Andrew. It evolves from distant siblings to a more connected pair. Andrew's protectiveness stems from seeing Quinn hurt by her old D&D group. He admits he didn't like living with her when she was miserable, and that motivated the family's move. By the end, they agree to be generally supportive of each other.

Kashvi. Andrew knows her from biology lab and is interested in her. He goes on a coffee date with her, and they continue seeing each other. Quinn initially struggles with the idea but comes to accept it.

Logan. Andrew is initially hostile toward Logan, warning him off and comparing him to Quinn's previous group. After Quinn and Logan's relationship is revealed, Andrew agrees to be supportive, though he still expresses discomfort with Logan looking at Quinn the way he does.

Grandma. Andrew objects to Grandma's move to a retirement community, showing his care for her. In the epilogue, he's present at the retirement community D&D session, suggesting he's maintained that connection.

Key Decisions and Consequences

Watching the livestream. Andrew's decision to watch Quinn's D&D livestream leads to his confrontation with Logan. It reveals his hidden concern for Quinn and his interest in Kashvi. This moment forces Quinn to see her brother in a new light.

Warning Logan off. Andrew's confrontation with Logan in the kitchen is a turning point. It shows his protective instincts and gives Logan a chance to defend himself. Logan promises to keep Quinn safe, which Andrew later relays to Quinn.

Going on a coffee date with Kashvi. Andrew's relationship with Kashvi creates complications for Quinn, who initially feels betrayed that Kashvi didn't tell her. But it ultimately leads to a reconciliation between Quinn and Kashvi, and between Quinn and Andrew.

Agreeing to be supportive. After the coffee shop confrontation, Andrew and Quinn agree to support each other's relationships. Andrew shares personal details about himself, marking a shift in their sibling dynamic.

Theme and Symbol Connections

Found family through shared hobby. Andrew initially dismisses D&D as a make-believe game for people with no actual talent, but he watches the livestream and eventually hangs out in the basement during sessions. His growing involvement connects to the theme of found family through shared hobby.

Aging, independence, and family caregiving. Andrew objects to Grandma's move to a retirement community, aligning with Quinn's position. His concern for Grandma shows a caring side beneath his casual exterior, connecting to the theme of aging, independence, and family caregiving.

Rebuilding trust after betrayal. Andrew's protectiveness is rooted in seeing Quinn hurt by her old group. His warning to Logan—that Quinn thought her old friends were cool too—shows he remembers the damage done. This connects to the theme of rebuilding trust after betrayal and harassment.

Rules versus personal desire. Andrew and Kashvi's relationship, like Quinn and Logan's, challenges the group's no-dating rule. Andrew's willingness to pursue Kashvi despite the complications shows his determination, connecting to the theme of rules versus personal desire.

Reinvention and starting over. Andrew adapts to the new town quickly, finding friends and continuing soccer. His growth from distant sibling to supportive brother reflects the novel's theme of reinvention and starting over.

For more on how Andrew's story resolves, see the ending explained page.

Questions and Answers

1. Why does Andrew initially abandon Quinn at school?

Andrew is focused on his own social life and soccer. He's popular and has found a large group of friends quickly. His initial behavior reflects his self-absorption, though he later reveals he was more affected by Quinn's misery than he let on.

2. Why does Andrew warn Logan off?

Andrew catches Logan and Quinn alone in the kitchen and sees the livestream chat comments about Quinn. He's protective because he remembers how Quinn's old D&D group hurt her. He compares Logan to another D&D player like the last one and warns him off.

3. How does Andrew's relationship with Quinn change?

Andrew goes from being distant and dismissive to protective and supportive. The turning point is his confrontation with Logan, where he admits he watched the livestream and was motivated by Quinn's misery to move. By the end, they agree to support each other's relationships.

4. Why does Andrew start watching the livestream?

Andrew claims he was bored and curious, but Quinn realizes he was actually logging in to see Kashvi. His interest in Kashvi from biology lab motivates him to watch, though his concern for Quinn also plays a role.

5. How does Andrew react to Quinn and Logan's relationship?

Initially hostile, Andrew warns Logan off and says he doesn't like guys looking at his sister that way. After Quinn confronts him, he agrees to be supportive, though he still expresses discomfort. By the epilogue, he's present at the retirement community D&D session with Kashvi, showing acceptance.

For more discussion of Andrew and other characters, see the questions and answers page.