You're not a coward just because you don't want to hurt people.

I get up, because I’m supposed to, but if it were up to me, I’d stay in my seat for the rest of time.

You are far less likely to soil your pants and cry for your mother if you’re prepared to defend yourself.

You’re too important to just … die.” He shakes his head. He won’t even look at me—his eyes keep shifting across my face, to the wall behind me or the ceiling above me, to everything but me. I am too stunned to be angry. “I’m not important. Everyone will do just fine without me,” I say. “Who cares about everyone? What about me?

I used to think about giving my life up for things, but I didn't understand what 'giving your life' really was until it was right there, about to be taken from me

Eric called Al's suicide brave, and he was wrong. My mother's death was brave. I remember how calm she was, how determined. It isn't just brave that she died for me; it is brave that she did it without announcing it, without hesitation, and without appearing to consider another option.

But Christina and I are not people who cry together; we're people who fight together. SO I hold my tears in.