I said nothing—I hadn’t known Marya, and anyway, “listening quietly” was my general social strategy

Nothing really ever happens like you imagine it will.

Who would you die for? Who would you wake up at five forty-five in the morning for even though you don't even know why he needs you?

I believe humans have souls, and I believe in the conservation of souls.

We are now as I wished we could be then.

Where do you come up with these zingers, Clint? Do you own some kind of joke factory in Indonesia where you've got eight-year-olds working ninety hours a week to deliver you that kind of top-quality witticism? There are boy bands with more original material.

I'll just go over to the Duke's," I said. "Her parents already told me I could stay there. I'll go over there and open all my presents, and talk about how my parents neglect me, and then maybe the Duke will give me some of her presents because she feels so bad about how my mom doesn't love me.