“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.”

“the PE teachers are into strudel," Issie says. '"I'm not sure why. It's so gooey." Gooey is good," Nick says. "Seriously?" I ask him. "You like strudel.""I like a lot of things that aren't good for me." He smiles slowly at me. My mouth must be hanging open because he starts laughing. "You made her blush!" Issie says. "Don't blush, Zara. He's just teasing.”

“It was near curfew time, and I was dropping him off for the night. He shook his head. "Rose, I don't know if you're crazy or not, but I'm actually starting to think you might be the best guardian- or soon-to-be guardian- out there." "Did you just give me a serious compliment?" I asked. He turned his back on me and headed inside his dorm. "Good night.”

“So you did get it?” I asked, suddenly babbling. “I wasn’t sure. I mean, sometimes we don’t get very good reception at school. But I guess you know that, living on a farm and all.” Shut up, shut up, shut up .He smiled slowly. “Hunter, are you nervous?”“Shut up.”“Are you going to ask me to prom?” he teased.“Shut up,” I repeated, choking on a horrified laugh.He grinned. “I look pretty good in a tux.”I rolled my eyes, suddenly comfortable again. “And you’re so refreshingly modest.”

“Speaking of tired, I’m exhausted,” I breathed. “I’m gonna head to bed, Baby.” I looked to everyone else. “Good night, guys.”“Night, Sis,” Jim said.Travis’ brothers all bid me goodnight, and I headed up the stairs.“I’m gonna turn in, too,” I heard Travis say.“I bet you are,” Trenton teased.“Lucky bastard,” Tyler grumbled.“Hey. We’re not going to talk about your sister like that,” Jim warned.”

“I’m sorry, you just remind me of someone. (Rose)Old boyfriend? (Gallagher)No, my great-grandfather. (Rose)That’s not particularly flattering. I thought I looked rather good for my age. (Gallagher)”