“Everyone at school seems to go by a nickname. Kat, Frosty, Bronx, Boo Bear, Jelly Bean, Freckles.”

“He ignored me, thank God, saying to Kat, "Let go of Frosty's leash. You're choking the life out of him." Kat's eyes narrowed to tiny slits, a sure sign of her aggression. "He deserves to choke. He didn't keep little frosty in his pants this summer." the words snapped like a whip. "He did." Cole snapped back with unwavering confidence."Not.""Did.""Not!""Did,""Not, not, not!" she shouted with a stomp of her foot."What are we five?" Cole said."Six.”

“William: What's your nickname?Maddox: I do not have one.William" I'm happy to give you one. Captain Ass. What do you think?Maddox: I can leave.William: New nickname: Big Baby. Anyway, let's continue...”

“Cool. I'm Kathryn, but everyone calls me Kat. And do not make any cat jokes or I'll have to hurt you. With my claws." she waved the long, blunt tips of her fingers at me. "Truth be told, I stopped speaking meow a long time ago." speaking meow? "I'm guessing calling you pretty kitty is out.”

“He was royalty. So what? Everyone had a flaw.”

“I'm not mad, though," Kat said. "You lied to me, and I lied to you. We're even."Finally he lost the grin. "When did you lie?"She gave him a Sweet'N Low smile, as if his amusement had been poured into her. "Every time we messed around. I didn't actually enjoy myself, if you know what I mean.”

“Strider: Red hots dude. He'd ruin anything for a mouthful of those. Now pull over.William: Gummy Bears. You should have said so.”