“Anything was better than nothing. Half-full was better than empty. Ignorance was the lowest form of humiliation and suffering.”

Well, well, he said. Five days a week isnt enough of me? Had to give me an evening, too?

And you would have lost. We were surrounded. He threatened your life, and he would have made good on that threat. He had you, and that meant he had me, too.

We touched base at several strategic locations down our bodies, and it took all my willpower to break away.

Don’t make me regret this”, i said breathless. “you haven’t regretted me once.

He felt warm and familiar. He felt solid and safe. I wanted to cling to his shirt, bury my face into the warm curve of his neck, and never let go.

She already has a car. A ford. Thats like toyotas worst enemy.

I shook my head. I dont think so. This isnt a good idea. This isnt right. Theres all kinds of right, he murmured. On the spectrum, were still in the safe zone. … Definitely right. Usually right, patch continued. Mostly right. Maybe right.

Youve never been to school, ever? If thats trueand youre right, i dont think it iswhat made you decide to come this year? You.

He gave marcie a spare to the jeepi should park this thing in the ocean, twenty feet under.

Mr. Green sweater looks normal, but his wingman looks hard-core bad boy, said vee. Emits a certain dont-mess-with-me signal. Tell me he doesnt look like draculas spawn. Tell me im imagining things.

Are you gloating inside? That’s what this is about, isn’t it? Getting me to trust you so you could blow it up in my face!” […] “i get that you’re angry,” said patch. “i am ripped apart!” i shouted.

Vee scowled at him. She is famous for that scowl. It’s a look that does everything but audibly hiss.

Patch smiled. You come by your red hair naturally? I stared at him. I dont have red hair. I hate to break it to you, but its red. I could light it on fire and it wouldnt turn any redder.

A feeling of violation swayed inside me, making me feel as if id been shoved off a high platform without warning. I was falling, and i feared the sensation far more than hitting bottom. There was no end; just a constantsense of gravity having its way with me.

Youve never been to school, ever? If thats true and youre right, i dont think it iswhat made you decide to come this year? You….Your eyes, nora. Those cold, pale gray eyes are surprisingly irresistible. He tipped his head sideways, as if to study me from a new angle. And that killer curvy mouth

Light had a way of keeping the monsters of my imagination at bay.