“Because Patty Anne can’t handle living on her own. She can barely handle not setting herself on fire when she makes soda bread. My Gwenie doesn’t have that problem.” “Because she hates soda bread?”

“Why don’t you admit I’ve been robbed of my musical career because society can’t handle my innate sexuality?”

“Didn’t have much choice. Couldn’t handle the whining.” “She whines?”“Not her, but a teacup poodle.”“Canines have teacup poodle shifters now?”

“,I like her.” Because she makes you shine.”

“You couldn’t handle being me.” She swirled her forefingers around her head and admitted, “All that goes on inside this head at any given time…would destroy you.”

“But remember in tenth grade, when I wanted to go out with that junior and you said, ‘Eh. I don’t think she’s the right girl for you’?”“She wasn’t.”“Because she was setting things on fire!” Ric announced loudly, making Gwen burst out laughing and Lock roll his eyes. “I’m serious, Gwen.” Ric went on. “And when I say setting things on fire, I mean entire buildings. Mostly schools. She’d been setting them on fire or trying to, for weeks. I didn’t find out until the cops came and arrested her during gym class. But does he say to me, ‘She’s setting things on fire! She’s crazy! Stay away from her!’ No. He says, ‘Eh. I don’t think she’s the right girl for you.’ And he’s all calm about it over our chocolate pudding in the cafeteria.”“I don’t see the point of getting hysterical.”

“I know she's weird. Her friends know she's weird. And we all accept it because she's weird, but also amazing.”