Quotes from Sarah Dessen

But I always worked harder when I was up against something, or when someone assumed I couldn't succeed. That's what drove me, all those nights studying. The fact that so many figured I couldn't do it.

It seemed like this day could go in so many directions, like a spiderweb shooting out toward endless possibilities.

It was kind of soothing, these sounds of lives being lived all around me, for better or for worse. And there I was, in the middle of them all, newly reborn and still waiting for mine to begin.

What you do in your dreams is never your choice. But it made me happy anyway.

Morgan sighed. I, she announced, am so pathetic. You are not, I said. I am. She went over and straightened the cling wrap, corner to corner. Do you know how many times I've brought in devilled eggs? This is, like, the only time I haven't been sobbing and that's only 'cause I cried all night. And Norman, she said, her voice rising to a wail, sweet Norman, always just acts so surprised to see the eggs, and pleased, and he never, once, has ever acted like he knew what they meant.

Now I felt like I was drifting, sucked down by an undertow, and too far out to swim back to the shore.

Fifteen minutes later, a meeting was called. Okay, look. Deb's face was dead serious. I know I just joined this project, and I don't want to offend anyone. But I'm going to be honest. I think you've been going about this all wrong. I'm offended, Dave told her flatly.

Did you really believe, that first day, that we were meant to be together? I asked him. He looked at me and then said, You're here, aren't you?

It's not just where you go, but how you choose to get there.

Some people think they like music, but they have no idea what it's really all about. They're kidding themselves. Then there are people who feel strongly about music, but just aren't listening to the right stuff. They're misguided. And then there are people like me. People like you, I said. What kind of people are those? The kind who live for music and are constantly seeking it out, anywhere they can. Who can't imagine a life without it. They're enlightened.

Now, see, Wes said, nodding at my plate, this is going to blow your mind. I looked at him. It's a waffle, not the second coming.

She smiled, pulling the photo a little closer, and I wondered if I should ask her, too, the question for my project, get her definition. But as she ran a finger slowly across the faces, identifying each one, it occurred to me that maybe this was her answer. All those names, strung together like beads on a chain. Coming together, splitting apart, but still and always, a family. (page 289) ~Ruby

You bought me some forks. And knives. And spoons. Because you love me!

I tried to hold myself apart, showing only what I wanted, doling out bits and pieces of who I was. But that only works out for so long. Eventually, even the smallest fragments can't help but, make a whole.

You punched him by accident.

As if it didnt matter what was on, but instead how hard i was listening.

And so really, you have given me no choice but to take you shopping by force." She sighed, then reached up, dropping her sunglasses down from their perch on her head to cover her eyes. "Do you even realize how happy the average teenage girl would be in your shoes? I have a credit card. We're at the mall. I want to buy you things. It's like adolescent nirvana." - Cora

Relationships evolve, just like people do. Just because you know someone doesn't mean you know everything about them.

There were so many people, so much to navigate, and as the distance fluctuated between us his hand kept slipping, down my arm to my wrist. And maybe he was going to let go as people pressed in on all sides, but all I could think was how when nothing made sense and hadn't for ages, you just have to grab onto anything you feel sure of. So as I felt his fingers loosening around my wrist, I just wrapped my own around them, right, and held on

The chances we take, knowing no better than to fall or to stand back and hold ourselves in... protecting our hearts with the tightest of grips.

And don't change for a guy, ever, Leah added. If they're worthy, they'll like you just the way you are.

Stuff that would be weird in the bright light of day just wasn't so much once you passed a certain hour.

Just because we don't see eye to eye on everything doesn't mean we can't be close.

Just wait a second. We can't leave it like this. But this too, wasn't true. Leaving was easy. It was everything else that was so damned hard.