Not like Tobias, who is almost shy when he smiles, like he is surprised you bothered to look at him in the first place.

The goal of my life isn't just... to be happy. 'Wouldn't it be easier if it was, though?

I didn't know that idiocy caused people to just start spontaneously bleeding from the nose.

How have I never realized before that for all the strong, kind parts of him, there are also hurting, broken parts?

She'll have to get over it, then. Are you going to let her drop out of Dauntless for a stupid reason like not being able to walk?" Zeke is quiet for a few seconds. His eyes shift over my face, and he squints, as if weighing and measuring me. Then he turns and bends and wraps his arms around me. it's been so long since someone hugged me that I stiffen. Then I relax, and let the gesture force warmth over my body.

It’s not a perfect situation. But when you have to choose between two bad options, you pick the one that saves the people you love and believe in most. You just do. Okay?

Well, I already know what happened to my face", I say. "I was there. Sort of