I was desperate for something to read that dealt realistically with teenage life, and I thought others might be, too.

I lie to myself all the time. But I never believe me.

I didn't think much about that statement then. But later I would-I still do. I think about it and think about it until I think I'm going crazy.

I don't know why I go to school unless for kicks, oh well might as well do dissect a frog.

All of a sudden it felt like people were peering over my shoulder, wondering what I would write next. I was blocked for four years.

... Hey, I didn't know you didn't like baloney." I went cold. "I don't like it. I never liked it." Soda just looked at me. "You used to eat it. That's why you wouldn't eat anything while you were sick. You kept saying you didn't like baloney, no matter what it was we were trying to get you to eat." "I don't like it," I repeated.

But Dally, heaters kill people! Ya' kill 'em with switchblades to, don'tcha?