But it does not tell you this: that love will turn the whole world into something greater than itself.

A string of bright white buildinh, glistening like teeth over the slurping mouth of the ocean.

I’ve been trying so hard not to think his name, not to even breathe the idea of him

I cry for everything I abandoned and because I, too, have been left behind -- by Alex, by my mom, by time that has cut through our worlds and separated us.

When we get out of highschool we'll look back and know we did everything right, that we kissed the cutest boys and went to the best parties, got in just enough trouble, listened to our music too loud, smoked too many cigarettes, and drank too much and laughed too much and listened too little, or not al all.

Why couldn't you let me have it? Why did you have to take it? Why did you always take everything?

I put my forehead on his collarbone, place one hand on his chest. Its rhythm reassures me: He is real, and he is now.