As I stepped out to face myself in the mirror, reaching a hand to smooth away the steam, I saw myself differently. It was as if I had grown again as I slept, but this time just to fit my own size. As if my soul had expanded, filling out the gaps of the height that had burdened me all these months. Like a balloon filling slowly with air, becoming all smooth and buoyant, I felt like I finally fit within myself, edge to edge, every crevice filled.
Sarah DessenIt was hard to remember what the yard had looked like even twelve hours before, undisturbed and pristine. Like it takes so little to change something, but to make you forget the way it once was, as well.
Sarah DessenYouโre always a kid around your parentsโฆ Unless theyโre acting like children. Then you donโt get the chance.
Sarah DessenSociety. The same society, I might add, that dictates that little girls should always be sugar and spice and everything nice, which encourages them not to be assertive. And that, in turn, then leads to low self-esteem, which can lead to eating disorders and increased tolerance and acceptance of domestic, sexual, and substance abuse." "You get all that from a pink Onesie?" Leah said after a moment.
Sarah DessenAnd so really, you have given me no choice but to take you shopping by force.โ She sighed, then reached up, dropping her sunglasses down from their perch on her head to cover her eyes. โDo you even realize how happy the average teenage girl would be in your shoes? I have a credit card. Weโre at the mall. I want to buy you things. Itโs like adolescent nirvana.โ - Cora
Sarah Dessen