Change, like healing, takes time.

People tend to overestimate my character," I say quietly. "They think that because I'm small, or a girl, or a Stiff, I can't possibly be cruel. But they're wrong.

I know that I am birdlike, made narrow and small as if for taking flight, built straight-waisted and fragile. But when he touches me like he can't bear to take his hand away, I don't wish I was any different.

Because even a sliver of distance between us is infuriating.

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

You don't have to tell me everything right away, but I have to tell you everything right away? Can't you see how stupid that is?

Living without virtues is to live divorced from society, seperated from the most important thing in life, community.