“Life is going to test you in ways it never has before. Don't let your future change the good person that you are or make forget who you are.”

“I frowned at him. "You didn't let anyone write on you? How does that happen?He gave me a disapproving look. "Seriously, Ellie?""Ah," I said. "You must have glared at them just like that. I'm the only one who's not afraid of you. Maybe I could draw over your tattoos so they glow and write BADASS on your forehead. All I've got is pink, though. Hope you don't mind.”

“I don't want to die and come back and not remember your face, Will. I don't want to spend another lifetime not knowing who you are!”

“Ellie, you need to understand," he said softly. "I exist only to serve you and fight by your side. Whether that fighting is to preserve your life or to make sure you smile, that is what I am built to do. You're all I have, and I will watch over you forever.”

“I guess it's true that love makes you blind.""No," my mom said. "It doesn't make you blind. You're very, very aware of everything about the one you truly love, whether you know it from what your eyes tell you or your heart. So no, love doesn't make you blind. It paralyzes you until you can't breathe or run away from it.”

“And I am your guardian, your bodyguard, sworn to protect and defend you. And you are making my job excruciatingly difficult.”

“When Ragnuk killed you, I looked for you everywhere. But you didn't come back. For decades I looked for you, terrified the angels were punishing me for letting you die alone. I thought that you'd never come back to me--that I'd lost you forever.”