Okay," I said, clasping her hand. "I swear it. The next time I do something stupid that might get me killed, you can come along.

I left the clinic in a daze that had nothing to do with my head injury. Clear up in a week or so? How could Dr. Olendzki speak so lightly about this? I was going to look like a mutant for Christmas and most of the ski trip. I had a black eye. A freaking black eye. And my mother had given it to me.

At long last, she gasped out, "It’s Seth." "What happened?" I demanded. "Is he okay?" "He ended it." Her crying renewed. "He broke the engagement and told me it was over.

This college would probably have the same problem as the last one did." I frowned, "What's that?" "Homework.

Well, you've finally got a license to kill. It's about time.

Dmitri was at a total loss. It was a common reaction for people when I agreed to do something reasonable.

What matters is that someone—that you—know me that well. When a person can see into your soul, it's hard. It forces you to be open. Vulnerable. It's much easier being with someone who's just more of a casual friend.