“I walk the three blocks to the school slowly, like if I’m not careful of every step, every tiny movement, I will lose my grip on gravity and go flying up into the stratosphere.”

“I smile because there are tiny dreams that play hopscotch at the corners of my mouth, and every time I breathe they float and every time I laugh they fly kites.”

“Friday morning, Kylie, Miranda, and Della, each carting suitcases, walkedthe trail to meet up with their parents. They walked slowly, like condemned prisoners moving to their executions.“I’m going to be peeing on a drug test stick every hour,” Dellamuttered.Miranda sighed. “I’m going to screw up at my competition and mymom is going to give me up for adoption.”“I’m going to a ghost hunt,” Kylie added. Both girls looked at her.“Don’t ask.”

“Before, I simply stepped off the ground, but with you—I’m in the stratosphere. You leave me breathless.”

“I’m going to walk over to you,” I say, taking one step at a time in her direction like I’m talking down a jumper. “I’m going to put my arms around you and I’m going to hold you,” I pause before taking the last step, “and you’re going to let me.”

“Don’t go tarring me with that brush! I’m nothing like him. I never cheat and I never lie. The woman I end up with would be my princess. I’d treat herlike damn royalty and worship the ground she walks on. I’d tell her every day how much I love her and every night how much she means to me. Sodon’t you ever tell me I’m like all the rest Amy. I’m not!”