“You better smile, or we're toast," I said. "Everything about you screams social malcontent with a grudge and a trunk full of weapons.”

“And no, I think i'm better than you because I am better than you.”

“Trust me, you see the dead walking around, you learn not to scream, laugh, or piss yourself pretty quickly.”

“Teachers, parents, guidance counselors... all of them are always pushing this crap about how it's okay to be different, just be yourself. Don't give in to peer pressure, blah, blah, blah. The truth is, it's really only okay to be yourself if that self is within an accepted range of "normal." You like soccer instead of basketball, Johnny? Well, okay, I guess, so long as you still like sports. What's that, Susie, you want to wear the blue sweater instead of the red? You know we're all about expressing individuality here... so long as it's still a sweater.”

“I know who you are, no matter what you look like,” he said quietly, surprising me.”

“At least I graduated," he muttered, stabbing the key in and unlocking the door. I sucked in a breath. "I think dying was a little out of my control, thank you very much.""If you say so". He shrugged, but I saw the corner of his mouth turn up into a faint smile.”

“I think, uh, I might be in love with you," I said, my voice sounding gruff and awkward even to my own ears.”