“A fierce hand gripped my chest, squeezing my lungs. No. it wasn't my lungs. It was my heart. It was breaking.Wasn't I stronger than this?”

“I am free. I am haunted. But if nothing else, I am wide awake.”

“I didn't want the sun to rise. I didn't want the world to continue turning. I wanted the whole planet put into stasis until I could catch up.”

“I smiled. I was starting to like being called Briar Rose.”

“I can't think about him, but I can't forget him, either. It's not right to forget someone you love.”

“Did you know I blush purple? Jamal’s teasing me about it.""Is he reading this?" I asked, horrified. "No.""Sorry I made you blush.""I’m not. Good night, Briar Rose.""Good night, blue-skinned alien.”

“What we have is what it is, and all I want it to be...for now”