“I realize something. That wasn't a finish line for me...This is my new starting line.”

“But in my heart I knew that just like the new grass, I wasn't strong enough yet to be walked on”

“As much as thinking this upsets me, I'm starting to see that I need the merry-go-round much more than it needs me, and in the end my choice is to hop back on or get left in the dust.”

“The room fell quiet. And as I read down the list of over one hundred and fifty eight-grade boys, I realized that to me, there had only ever been one boy.”

“...and I realized that Garrett was right about one thing- I had flipped.Completely.”

“But in my heart I knew the old Bryce was toast. There was no going back. Not to Garrett or Shelly or Miranda or any of the other people who wouldn't understand. Juli was different, but after all these years that didn't bother me anymore.I liked it.I liked her.”

“I wipe away my tears and nod, because the pain in my leg is nothing compare to the one in my heart.”