“I make it through the first two weeks of school without a nuclear meltdown. ”

“It is my first morning of high school. I have seven new notebooks, a skirt I hate, and a stomachache.”

“Art without emotion its like chocolate cake without sugar. It makes you gag.”

“Mr Freeman: "Art without emotion is like chocolate cake without sugar. It makes you gag." He sticks his finger down his throat. "The next time you work on your trees, don't think about trees. Think about love, or hate, or joy, or pain- whatever makes you feel something, makes your palms sweat, or your toes curl. Focus on that feeling. When people don't express themselves, they die on piece at a time. You'd be shocked at how many adults are really dead inside- walking through their days with no idea who they are, just waiting for a heart attack or cancer or a mack truck to come along and finish the job. It's the saddest thing I know.”

“I look at my homely sketch. It doesn't need anything. Even through the river in my eyes I can see that. It isn't perfect and that makes it just right.”

“I have entered high school with the wrong hair, the wrong clothes, the wrong attitude. And I don't have anyone to sit with.”

“Sometimes I think high school is one long hazy activity: if you are tough enough to survive this, they'll let you become an adult. I hope it's worth it.”