“You look like you're twelve. No. Maybe thirteen, but my sister has this doll that kinda reminds me of you. All big-eyed and vacant.”

“Umm. Wow. Did it grow? Because it looks bigger.""Kissin' your red-hot love flower made this stem grow big and hard just for you, baby doll."AJ managed to meet his eyes. "Love flower?""Thought maybe you wanted some kinda sweet-talkin' love words first.”

“He said, You're so tiny, like a doll, you look like you might break. I wanted him to break me. Part of me did.”

“It’s kind of sad, if you think about it. Like there’s no continuity in people at all. Like something ruptures when you hit twelve, or thirteen, or whatever the age is when you’re no longer a kid but a “young adult,” and after that you’re a totally different person. Maybe even a less happy person. Maybe even a worse one.”

“Of course I care. You're my big sister. I may act like a pain in the butt sometimes, but I actually like you. Pissing you off is just a hobby with me. [pp. 109]”

“Name me. Gaze into my eyes, study my smile and dimples and tell me what you see. I look like an Emma. I look like an Amy. I look like a Katherine. I look like a Kathryn. I look like your best friend's sister, your sister's best friend. Introduce me. Yell for me. Let me run away and call me back. Run your fingers through my hair and whisper my name. Call me whatever you want; it's just a name, after all.”