“In seventh grade, false feelings and false faces are the rule.”

“We all come unique packages with strength and weakness, and somewhere there is a precious gift in all of us”

“When I didn't say anything, he came closer, dropping slowly to his haunches so we were at eye level. My eyes searched his gorgeous face and for once, I wished I could break my own damn rules. I had a feeling Braden would be able to make me forget everything for a while.We gazed at one another for what seemed like forever, not saying a word. I was expecting a lot of questions since it must have been clear to everyone, or at least the adults at the table, that I had had a panic attack. Surely, they were all wondering why, and I really didn't want to go back out there."Better?" Braden finally asked softly.Wait. Was that it? No probing questions?"Yeah." No, not really.He must have read my reaction to his question in my face because he cocked his head to the side, his gaze thoughtful. "You don't need to tell me."I cracked a humorless smile. "I'll just let you think I'm bat-shit crazy."Braden smiled back at me. "I already know that.”

“There is no better application of the Golden Rule than to help a homeless pet. In doing this, you are giving the gift of life itself. And since there is no greater gift, there can be no greater reward”

“There is a horror that sometimes comes with being right.”

“The urge to save humanity is almost always only a false-face for the urge to rule it.”

“When kids make gross face,parents say, "One dayyour face is going to stick like that."I'm afraid that one daymy panic's going to stickand it's going to be my entire life,every second,and there will be nothing else.”