“Being told when to shit, shower, shave, eat, and sleep isn't my idea of paradise. But then again, Paradise, where i grew up, wasn't paradise either. I'm wondering if paradise is just some word in the dictionary with the definition: this doesn't fucking exist.--Caleb to himself”

“Trust me, he whispers against my lips. Maggie, you're my paradise.”

“I'm standing here, holding a half a lemon in my hand. I'm speechless, I'm excited . . . I'm a wreck. Caleb wants to be where I am.”

“It's cool in the basement, so I pull the blanket up to my chest. Caleb slides in beside me, and I feel his bare legs against mine. "You're shivering," he says, his voice a low whisper."I'm a little cold... and a little nervous.""Don't be nervous, Maggie. It's juste me."It's the real Caleb, without the tough facade. I'm glad it's completely dark now and he can't see my trembling fingers as they move up to his beautiful face. "I know."He pulls me closer. I rest my head in the crook of his arm and am more content than ever."Maggie ?""Yeah ?""Thanks.""For what ?""For making me feel alive again."I drape my arm across his chest, the warmth of his skin melting into mine. I want to remember this night forever, because we'll probably never get another chance to hold each other like this again. It makes me want to do more than just sleep in his arms. I try and relax, to slow my own erratic heartbeat as I wrap my right leg, the one that wasn't severely damaged in the accident, around him. It's a definite hint that I'm ready to do more than just lie in his arms.He moans in response. "Maggie, you're treading into dangerous territory. I'm trying to be a good, honorable guy here."" I know. But I'm not asking you to be one.""You sure you know what you're getting into ?""Nope. I've got no clue." I start kissing and feeling my way across his broad chest."You're killing me", he says, his hands slowly reaching for me and urging me up so we're face to face.”

“I'll tell you what's real. Real is that I was in jail for the past year, rooming with drug dealers and eating crap food your dog wouldn't touch. Real is not being able to wear your own frickin' underwear and showering with twenty-five other dicks every day while guards watch. Real is my next-door neighbor who walks like she's balancing on stilts because her leg is so fucked up from the accident. Brian, your perception of reality is totally off.”

“I let it all out--my mom's date,my dad's conversation,my confusion about it all.Caleb doesn't laugh,he doesn't pull away,he doesn't talk .. He just lets me be me.When I settle down,I lean back and witness the mess I've made on his shirt."I made ur shirt all gross," I say between sniffles."Forget the shirt.What's going on? I could.nt understand a word you mumbled into my chest." Now I'm half laughing and half crying.”

“I'm in deep shit Alex, 'cause I think I'd like nothin' better than to wake up with her every mornin'.”