“But it was okay not to fit in everywhere, as long as you did somewhere.”

“I knew Kristy was probably exactingthe revenge she thought Iwas due, while Delia moved right behind her, making apologies and smoothingrough edges. Monica wasmost likely following her own path, either oblivious or deeply emotionallyinvested, depending on whatyou believed, while Wes worked the perimeter, always keeping an eye oneverything. There was a wholeother world out there, the Talbots' world, where I didn't belong now, if I everhad. But it was okay not tofit in everywhere, as long as you did somewhere. So I picked up my tray, carefulto keep it level, andpushed through the door to join my friends.”

“It's gonna be okay," I said. It was the first time in a long time that I believed it. "It will.”

“Okay. Enough." I got out of the closet, brushing myself off, then turned around to face her. "This is happening. So you need to go downstairs, face your fears, and make the best of it, and everything will be okay."She narrowed her eyes at me. "When did you suddenly become so positive?""Just get out of there.”

“It's okay to accept things from people. It doesn't make you weak or helpless.”

“You could just tell when a person belonged somewhere. That is something you can't fake, no matter how hard you try”

“It was like when you ripped a piece of paper into two: no matter how you tried, the seams never fit exactly right again.”