Quotes by Sarah Dessen

Two a.m. He swallowed, then said, You know. The person you can call at two a.m. and, no matter what, you can count on them. Even if theyre asleep or its cold or you need to be bailed out of jail...theyll come for you. Its like, the highest level of friendship.

Friends are honest with each other. Even if the truth hurts.-Maggie

You only really fall apart in front of the people you know can piece you back together.

As Isabel acted out her date, both of them laughing, I stayed in the kitchen, out of sight, and pretended she was telling me, too. And that, for once, I was part of this hidden language of laughter and silliness and girls that was, somehow, friendship.

Maybe we were all destined to just keep doing the same stupid things, over and over again, never really learning a single thing.

So you should remember that, when youre thinking about what other people can deal with. Maybe its not so bad.

Its okay to accept things from people. It doesnt make you weak or helpless.

As I rolled over, stretching out, my only thought was to go back to the dream Id been having, which I couldnt remember, other than that it had been good, in that distant, hopeful way unreal things can be.

It was great. Freedom even the imagined kind always is.

To me she said, Its this stupid gotcha thing, theyve been doing it for weeks now. Leaping out at each other and us, scaring the hell out of everyone.Its a game of wits, Bert said to me.Half-wits, Kristy added.

I was distracted, thinking about what shed said, until she got to this last part. Sherman? I said.She nodded. Thats John and Craigs friend. Hes visiting from Shreveport.Sherman from Shreveport? I said. This is the guy youre determined I go out

Like it takes so little not only to change something, but to make you forget the way it once was, as well.

But wasnt that always the way. Its never something huge that changes everything, but instead the tiniest of details, irrevocably tweaking the balance of the universe while youre busy focusing on the big picture.

I would miss Colby, but it wasnt going anywhere. All the more reason why I should.

Its not that I believe everything happens for a reason, its just that...I just think that some things are meant to be broken. Imperfect. Chaotic. Its the universes way of providing contrast, you know? There have to be a few holes in the road. Its how life is.

Im not into appearances. I like flaws, I think they make things interesting.

There was something so heavy about the burden of history, of the past. I wasnt sure I had it in me to keep looking back.

Sometimes, you have to manufacture your own history. Give fate a push, so to speak.

So whats your dolls name? Boo asked me.Barbie, I said. All their names are Barbie.I see, she said. Well, Id think that would get boring, everyone having the samename.I thought about this, then said, Okay, then her name is Sabrina.Well, thats a very nice name, Boo said. I remember she was baking bread,kneading the doughbetween her thick fingers. What does she do?Do? I said.Yes. She flipped the dough over and started in on it from the other side. Whatdoes she do?She goes out with Ken, I said.And what else?She goes to parties, I said slowly. And shopping.Oh, Boo said, nodding.She cant work?She doesnt have to work, I said.Why not?Because shes Barbie.I hate to tell you, Caitlin, but somebody has to make payments on that town houseand the Corvette,Boo said cheerfully. Unless Barbie has a lot of family money.I considered this while I put on Kens pants.Boo started pushing the dough into a pan, smoothing it with her hand over the top.You know what Ithink, Caitlin? Her voice was soft and nice, the way she always spoke to me.What?I think your Barbie can go shopping, and go out with Ken, and also have aproductive and satisfyingcareer of her own. She opened the oven and slid in the bread pan, adjusting itsposition on the rack.But what can she do? My mother didnt work and spent her time cleaning thehouse and going to PTA.I couldnt imagine Barbie, whose most casual outfit had sequins and go-go boots,doing s.uch things.Boo came over and plopped right down beside me. I always rememberher being on my level; shed siton the edge of the sandbox, or lie across her bed with me and Cass as we listened tothe radio.Well, she said thoughtfully, picking up Ken and examining his perfect physique.What do you want todo when you grow up?I remember this moment so well; I can still see Boo sitting there on the floor, cross-legged, holding myKen and watching my face as she tried to make me see that between my mothersPTA and Boosstrange ways there was a middle ground that began here with my Barbie, Sab-rina,and led right to me.Well, I said abruptly, I want to be in advertising. I have no idea where this camefrom.Advertising, Boo repeated, nodding. Okay. Advertising it is. So Sabrina has to goto work every day,coming up with ideas for commercialsand things like that.She works in an office, I went on. Sometimes she has to work late.Sure she does, Boo said. Its hard to get ahead. Even if youre Barbie.Because she wants to get promoted, I added. So she can pay off the town house.And the Corvette.Very responsible of her, Boo said.Can she be divorced? I asked. And famous for her commercialsand ideas?She can be anything, Boo told me, and this is what I remember most, her freckledface so solemn, as ifshe knew she was the first to tell me. And so can you.

She knew I could tell with one glance, one look, one simple instant. It was her eyes. Despite the thick makeup, they were still dark-rimmed., haunted, and sad. Most of all though, they were familiar. The fact that we were in front of hundreds of strangers changed nothing at all. Id spent a summer with those same eyes-scared, lost, confused-staring back at me. I would have known them anywhere.