“What is this?' 'A Smart Car' It looked like an SUV took a dump and out came the Smart Car”

“You know about fixing cars, you're athletic, and you know when to shut up.""That last one isn't a skill.""Honey, trust me. It's a skill.”

“That’s not the only reason I’m stayin’, chica. I can’t leave you any more than I could walkout that door right now while my leg is busted up. I was just thinkin’ . . . should we tell yourparents now or later?”“Tell them what?” I ask, eyes wide.He kisses me softly, then says proudly, “That we’re in a serious, monogamous, committedrelationship.”“We are?”“Sí. And when I get out of here, I’m gonna fix the door to your car.”

“When Alex leaves a little later, Carlos steps forward. “Need help?”I shake my head.“Are you ever gonna talk to me again? Dammit, Kiara, enough with the silent treatment. I’d rather have you say your little two-word sentences than stop talkin’ altogether. Hell, just flipme off again.”I toss my backpack in the backseat and start the engine.“Where are you goin’?” Carlos asks, stepping in front of my car.I beep.“I’m not movin’,” he says.My response is another beep. It’s not an intimidating, deep beep like most cars, but it’s the best my car can give.He places both hands on the hood.“Move,” I say.He moves all right. With pantherlike quickness, Carlos jumps through the open passenger window, feet first. “You should get the door fixed,” he says.”

“I'm the one who got hit by that car, not you,' I tell him. 'Don't act like you're the victim here. You made choices I didn't ask you to make. I'm not sure anyone asked you to make them.' I'm screaming the words, not caring that the entire world can probably hear me. 'You think I like limping everywhere I go? I don't. I'm the victim! Be honest with me! You didn't care about me enough to trust me. I gave you my heart, but it wasn't enough.”

“From the look of us, you'd never know we slept in the same bed last night and made out like the world was going to end if we stopped.”

“I want to know how to make this girl laugh. I want to know what makes her cry. I want to know what it feels like to have her look at me as if I’m her knight in shinning armor.”