I am better off doing as abnegation taught me: turning away from myself, projecting always outward, and hoping that in whatever is next, I will be better than I am now.
Veronica RothLeave her out of this" "Why? Because you're doing her? Oh wait, I forgot. Stiffs don't do that sort of thing
Veronica RothMy body rises with the water. Instead of kicking my feet to stay abreast of it, I push all the air from my lungs and sink to the bottom. The water muffles my ears. I feel its movement over my face. I think about snorting the water into my lungs so it kills me faster, but I can't bring myself to do it. I blow bubbles from my mouth. Relax. I close my eyes. My lungs burn.
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 RothBut that wasnยดt the first time I ever saw her. I saw her in the hallways at school, and at my motherโs false funeral, and walking the sidewalks in the Abnegation sector. I saw her, but I didnโt see her; no one saw her the way she truly was until she jumped. I suppose a fire that burns that bright is not meant to last.
Veronica Roth