“I remember being thirteen years old, sitting in my room all night, listening to the same song over and over. I thought that if I could write something beautiful, something honest, I could make someone love me.”

“Sometimes Thomas Mackee will stick an earphone into my ear and ask me to listen to a song. When I get over the revulsion of putting something in my ear that's been in his, I sit back and let the music take over, and for a half hour there's something comforting about someone's heart beating at the same rhythm as mine.”

“You're right, baby. We began out of something ugly. But what we became was something beautiful. I just wish I could make you see that.”

“Interestingly, this was the only incident of blatant prejudice that I canremember. But I am aware that such opinions exist in human beings, andit's not a question of being Egyptian or being an Arab or being a Muslim.One could be a Christian against a Jew or a Jew against a Christian, or awhite against a black, or a man against a woman. My philosophy is notto let such attitudes stop me from what I want to do. I don't take it veryseriously, although as you can see, I remember the incident very well.The point was I had to get on with my work and had to behave properly,and in the process perhaps even change the opinion of these people. Buton the other hand, if I did nothing but complain and feel sorry for myself,then I wouldn't get anywhere.”

“You ran into my life, this beautiful, amazing girl who changed everything. I finally saw what my world could be. What being normal and happy could look like. You’ve given me everything I never thought I could have! It scares to me think of life without you. Of not seeing your smile or hearing your voice.”

“My heart clenches. I still love this boy. The realization scares me. I thought I was over it. I thought I could handle something like this; an impromptu run in.”

“The old-fashioned bravado started pissing me off. I pierced my lips together as my nostrils flared. Over 100 years old and boys will still be boys. I hoped for a little bit more maturity.”