For the first time in a long time, I actually look at her. I've always thought Lena was pretty, but now it occurs to me that at some point - last summer? last year? - she became beautiful.

Finishing books - and leaving the world you've created - is always a kind of emotionally wrenching experience. I usually cry.

And I guess that's when it starts to hit me: the whole point is, you do what you can.

Don't worry about what you're writing or whether it's good or even whether it makes sense.

It's the way he says my name: like music.

Fourth period I have "life skills", which is what they call gym when you're old enough to be offended by forced physical activity (Elody thinks they should call it slavery instead, for accuracy).

I thought the Invalids were beasts; I thought they would rip me apart. But these people saved me, and gave me the softest place to sleep, and nursed me back to health, and haven't asked for anything in return. The animals are on the other side of the fence: monsters wearing uniforms. They speak softly, and tell lies, and smile as they're slitting your throat.