In the wake of my talk with Earl, we had come to a mutual understanding about Lena, the only kind guys ever come to. Meaning, I hadn’t brought it up, and they hadn’t brought it up, and between us, we somehow all agreed to go on like this indefinitely. Don’t ask, don’t tell.

There wasn't enough chocolate in the world to make this better.

South of Somewhere and north of Nowhere.

Good for you, Ethan." That's what my poor mama would've said. Ma'am.

Until then, you can do what everyone else your age does. Listen to music. Watch the television. Just keep your nose away from those books.

I love her beyond the universe and back. I love her from this world to the next.

Hey, Ethan." "Yeah?" "Remember the Twinkie on the bus? The one I gave you in second grade, the day we met?" "The one you found on the floor and gave me without telling me? Nice." He grinned and shot the ball. "It never really fell on the floor. I made that part up.