A rat called Possible New Strain was sitting under a spaghetti strainer held down with a pile of journalism textbooks, saying rude things in rat-speak.

Maybe that was the price of loving someone: You lost your grasp of where they ended and you began.

The early summer sky was the color of cat vomit. Of course, Tally thought, you’d have to feed your cat only salmon-flavored cat food for a while, to get the pinks right.

The lie took form as she spoke, pulling on as many strands of truth as it could reach.

To everyone who loves a long-secret romance, revealed at last.

Which was worse: a friend with brain damage, or one who despised you?

You're insane!" she shouted. "Pretty cool, huh?" "No!"Tally yelled. "Why didn't you tell me it was broken?" Shay shrugged. "More fun that way?" "More fun?" Her heart beating fast,her vision strangely clear. She was full of anger and relief and...joy. "Well, kind of. But you suck!