“This isn't a game we're playing between ourselves," he continued. "Don't pretend that it is.""Isn't it?" A challenge flared in her eyes, like fire inside the purest emerald. "Don't lie to me, John. Don't pretend it's any more than it really is. It's a job. One we're both determined to complete, nothing more." "Like hell.”

“Why don't we have a little game? Let's pretend that we're human beings, and that we're actually alive.”

“So what don't you get?""The way people talk and act like they're crazy in love, and then, ding, suddenly they'renot. It's like it was all just pretend. Like it's just a game."He crunched on an ice cube. "Well, sometimes it is just a game.""Then how are you supposed to believe someone when it isn't?”

“Go home, Adam," I replied softly. "We're done."His eyes widened in shock. "Ellie-""I'll pretend for Braden. When we're all together, I'll pretend for Braden that nothing has changed between you and me."I held his gaze, attempting to be strong as I ended us."But whatever this is, it's over. Everything. Don't call me, don't visit... just don't. I don't want you near me when you don't have to be. It hurts too much, and if you care about me even just a little bit, you'll stay away from me.”

“Nor is there any embarrassment in the fact that we're ridiculous, isn't that true? For it's actually so, we are ridiculous, light-minded, with bad habits, we're bored, we don't know how to look, how to understand, we're all like that, all, you, and I, and they”

“Katy shook her head at me. 'We don't pretend we're from the legend. We are the legend”