“Add children to the list of things I hate.”

“Point is, maybe some people wouldn't want to be around me all day, but there are people out there who would. And they're smart and funny. And they like some of the same things I like and hate some of the things I hate, but they also introduce me to all kinds of new things. That's as close to 'meant to be' as I can imagine.”

“But things work out, you know? Even if it doesn't feel okay for a long time, or even if it feels lke things will never be okay again, everything works out in the end.”

“All I want, oh dear friend of mine, is for you to go out with someone. Do something, even if it's not the magical, wonderful thing you had in mind. Don't sit around for one more second pining away for some fantasy that might never come along, because it might not even exist.”

“they do have these things called bookstores there. I've heard tell that if you give them money, they let you leave with a book.”

“There are certain things in life that just suck. Pouring a big bowl of Lucky Charms before realizing the milk is expired, the word 'moist,' falling face-first into the salad bar in front of the entire lacrosse team . . .”

“When all along... well, what I was hoping you'd realize...''My mystery guy was you,' I finish in a whisper.'Well, yeah,' he says. He reaches out and touches my chin-once, gently. 'I really like you, Julia. A lot. I-I want to be with you.”