The shouts of triumph become infectious, and I lift my voice to join in, running toward my teammates. Christina holds the flag up high, and everyone clusters around her, grabbing her arm to lift the flag even higher. I can't reach her, so I stand off to the side, grinning. A hand touches my shoulder. "Well done," Four says quietly.
Veronica RothA breeze blows through the alley, pushing me to one side, and I think of scaling the Ferris wheel with Tobias. He kept me steady then. There is no one left to keep me steady now.
Veronica RothJust because they didnโt shoot you all in the head doesnโt mean their intentions were somehow honorable. Why do you think they came here? Just to run through your hallways, knock you conscious, and leave?
Veronica RothOne piece of advice I have is: Want something else more than success. Success is a lovely thing, but your desire to say something, your worth, and your identity shouldnโt rely on it, because itโs not guaranteed and itโs not permanent and itโs not sufficient. So work hard, fall in love with the writing โ the characters, the story, the words, the themes โ and make sure that you are who you are regardless of your life circumstances. That way, when the good things come, they donโt warp you, and when the bad things hit you, you donโt fall apart.
Veronica RothHis hands skim my bare arms. โJust bounce a little when you walk,โ he says, kissing my forehead, โand pretend youโre afraid of their gunsโ โanother kiss between my eyebrowsโ โand act like the shrinking violet you could never be โโa kiss on my cheekโ โand youโll be fine.
Veronica Roth