Her hair is ridiculous," I said. "I know. That was the only thing I said about her that was true. When you say nasty things about people, you should never say the true ones, because you can't really fully and honestly take those back, you know? I mean, there are highlights. And there are streaks. And then there are skunk stripes.

I just want to do something that matters. Or be something that matters. I just want to matter.

High school is neither a democracy nor a dictatorship - nor, contrary to popular belief, an anarchic state. High school is a divine-right monarchy. And when the queen goes on vacation, things change.

At some point, you just pull off the Band-Aid, and it hurts, but then it's over and you're relieved.

So she became impulsive, scared by her inaction into perpetual action.

I’m not up for laughing, but their laughter makes the room feel safer, so we begin to explore.

Margo always loved mysteries. And in everything that came afterward, I could never stop thinking that maybe she loved mysteries so much that she became one.