“A cheerleader? Do I look like a guy who'd be interested in talking to a cheerleader?”

“All battles are fought by scared men who'd rather be someplace else.”

“You are totally kissable. If I were a guy or gay or bi or something I would absolutely kiss you.”

“Attention, people talking about me: I. Am. Right. Here.”

“I stomp toward her and point. I've SO had it with her. "That is SO not nice."You don't even talk like a queen." She glares at me.Nick raises an eyebrow at me. "You're a QUEEN?"I walk to the edge of the bed, stand just a few inches away from her. Power rolls off of her. "Okay, please refrain from your insidious comments, which are obviously geared to inflict harm upon my psyche. I do not appreciate it."Nick cracks up. "Well, you ARE the same Zara.”

“This guy named Ian that I met at school. He wants to go to the DMV with me."She hands me a plate to dry. "Well, there's true love."I snort.”

“Do you like me? You know, like me like me?"I cringe the moment I ask and cover my face with my hands. The smell of blood and trail dirt wafts into my nose. Something sinks inside me. What is it? Oh, I know, any dignity I could possibly have left.”