“I pretended to be a Cheyenne guide. I pretended to be a prairie woman. I pretended Henry was my old-timey husband taking me to our new homestead. I leaned down and patted Trouble’s neck. “Good boy,” I said. “Trusty steed.”

“Don't pretend to comfort me, my friend. I might also pretend to not let you down.”

“Once more, we were to start anew in the world. I was afraid they would come back for me if they realized that their devices were faulty, so I played their game. I pretended to forget New Haven. I pretended to forget my friends. I even pretended to forget Chase. Most importantly, I pretended that I couldn’t feel the emotions of those around me or bend the laws of gravity with my mind.”

“Will coos, “Jo.” I pretend he’s saying my name. I pretend he’s calling me back.”

“It was tempting to fall back on reliable tactics and pretend things were…perfect. To pretend he was only a boy and I was only a girl and we desired each other. I wanted him to hold and kiss me and pretend he would do anything to protect me. I wanted to pretend he felt a fraction of the things I couldn’t seem to stop myself from feeling for him. My heart hurt. As much as my shoulder and ribs screamed with pain, they were eclipsed by the sorrow in my heart. I couldn’t pretend anymore. The time for it had passed; there was only the reality of things left to deal with. ”

“To pretend, I actually do the thing: I have therefore only pretended to pretend.”