Trying to write about love is ultimately like trying to have a dictionary represent life. No matter how many words there are, there will never be enough.

It’s up to you, not fate. True. But it was also up to Lily. That was the trickiest part.

everyone in our school has afterschool activities. mine is going home.

You think fairy tales are only for girls? Here's a hint - ask yourself who wrote them. I assure you, it wasn't just the women. It's the great male fantasy - all it takes is one dance to know that she's the one. All it takes is the sound of her song from the tower, or a look at her sleeping face. And right away you know - this is the girl in your head, sleeping or dancing or singing in front of you. Yes, girls want their princes, but boys want their princesses just as much. And they don't want a very long courtships. They want to know immediately.

I think of friendship in terms of love.

exemplar, n. It's always something we have to negotiate- the face that my parents are happy, and yours have never been. I have something to live up to, and if I fail, I still have a family to welcome me home. You have a storyline to rewrite, and a lack of faith that it can ever be done. You love my parents, I know. But you never get too close. You never truly believe there aren't bad secrets underneath.

I don’t like it when you use my shampoo, because then your hair smells like me, not you.