I knew her hair and her coloring and her shapes would be different next time, but the way she wore her body would keep on.

Don't talk to me. I'm tired and grumpy and I'll probably make fun of you.

She wasn't as destructive as Bee. She had never been as dramatic. Rather, she'd slipped carefully, stealthily away from her ghosts.

Because she was raw and uncertain, and she liked to keep all the messy parts of herself to herself. ... As much as Lena liked to hide the mess and display the finished product, by this point she was all mess and no product.

But I know this. We're ready to move forward again in our way. Together or apart, no matter how far apart, we live in one another. We go on together.

When I turned fifteen, I remember my father gave me a credit card which I was allowed to use for two things: emergencies and books.

Bridget cried for the leavers and the left. For the people, like herself, grimly forsaking what precious gifts they would ever get.