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“War makes monsters out of men.”
― Patrick Ness

“If you don’t show up today, I’ll be there next year. And the next. Every November 9th I’ll wait for you, hoping one day you’ll be able to find enough forgiveness to love me again. But if that doesn’t happen and you never show, I’ll still be grateful to you until the day that I die. You saved me the day we met.”
― Colleen Hoover, November 9

“Love can destroy you.
Love can erase you.
Love can heal you.
Love can reinvent you,
And, if you are lucky enough,
Love can make you whole again.

That's what Cathy has done to me.”
― Mia Asher, Arsen: A Broken Love Story

“I barely know him. I guess that is every relationship. You start with nothing and maybe end with everything.”
― Adam Silvera, What If It's Us

“In the year 2025, the best men don't run for president, they run for their lives. . . .”
― Stephen King, The Running Man

“I want to believe every single lie of hers so I can gladly continue living in denial. I love her that fucking much.”
― Mia Asher, Arsen: A Broken Love Story

“Are you okay?" I (Cassie) call up to him.
"Um. Define okay." (Ben)
"Okay means you're not bleeding to death."
"I'm okay.”
― Rick Yancey, The 5th Wave

“Something weird," Ben said. "You would think, with ninety-nine percent of us gone, the two percent would get along better."
Um, that would be one percent, Parish.”
― Rick Yancey, The Infinite Sea

“Fools make feasts and wise men eat them.”
― Benjamin Franklin, Fart Proudly: Writings of Benjamin Franklin You Never Read in School

“But for the first time, I don’t feel like the English language has developed enough letters in the alphabet to adequately express the words I want to say to you.”
― Colleen Hoover, November 9

“I’ve never loved someone I hate so much, and I’ve never hated someone I love so much.”
― Colleen Hoover, November 9

“I wrap my arms around her and pull her against me and when I feel her arms go around me, I do the most non-alpha thing I can possibly do. I cry like a fucking baby.”
― Colleen Hoover, November 9

“All I care about is you. Being with you every day. Seeing you every day. I’m not finished falling in love with you yet.”
― Colleen Hoover, November 9

“And I hold her for so long, I have no idea if it’s still November 9th anymore or if it’s the 10th now. But the date doesn’t matter, because I’m going to love her through every single one of them.”
― Colleen Hoover, November 9

“But what if the story should quit while it’s ahead?�� “How do you know unless you give the story another chance?”
― Adam Silvera, What If It's Us

“What happened to you?" she asked.
"Ben was feeling artistic. Wanted to rearrange my face.”
― Stacey Kade, Body & Soul

“We are the clay, and you are Michelangelo.
And we will be your masterpiece.”
― Rick Yancey, The 5th Wave

“Do you believe in love at first sight?"
His smile fades, but when I lay my hands on his chest he doesn't pull away. "No, I don't."
"Me either," I say. "I think we'll need at least three days."
"Three days?"
"To fall in love."
His smile-his real smile, the crooked one that lights him up from the inside out-breaks across his face. He throws back his head and laughs. When he finishes, his arms are around me again and a familiar gleam is in his eyes. "You're very sure of yourself."
"No, I'm sure of you." I curl my hands into his coat. "Of us”
― Stacey Jay, Juliet Immortal

“Dear Jack:
I have no idea who he was. But he saved me. From you.
I watched from the doorway as he smacked, punched, and threw you against the wall. You fought back hard- I'll give you that- but you were no match for him.
And when it was over- when you'd finally passed out- the boy made direct eye contact with me. He removed the rag from my mouth and asked me if I was okay.
'Yes. I mean, I think so,' I told him.
But it was her that he was really interested in: the girl who was lying unconscious on the floor. Her eyes were swollen, and there looked to be a trail of blood running from her nose.
The boy wiped her face with a rag. And then he kissed her, and held her, and ran his hand over her cheek, finally grabbing his cell to dial 911.
He was wearing gloves, which I thought was weird. Maybe he was concerned about his fingerprints, from breaking in. But once he hung up, he removed the gloves, took the girl's hand, and placed it on the front of his leg- as if it were some magical hot spot that would make her better somehow. Tears welled up in his eyes as he apologized for not getting there sooner.
'I'm so sorry,' he just kept saying.
And suddenly I felt sorry too.
Apparently it was the anniversary of something tragic that'd happened. I couldn't really hear him clearly, but I was pretty sure he'd mentioned visiting an old girlfriend's grave.
'You deserve someone better,' he told her. 'Someone who'll be open and honest; who won't be afraid to share everything with you.' He draped his sweatshirt over her, kissed her behind the ear, and then promised to love her forever.
A couple minutes later, another boy came in, all out of breath. 'Is she alright?' he asked.
The boy who saved me stood up, wiped his tearful eyes, and told the other guy to sit with her until she woke up. And then he went to find scissors for me. He cut me free and brought me out to the sofa. 'My name's Ben,' he said. 'And help is on the way.'
When the girl finally did wake up, Ben allowed the other guy to take credit for saving her life. I wanted to ask him why, but I haven't been able to speak.
That's what this letter is for. My therapist says that I need to tell my side of things in order to regain my voice. She suggested that addressing my thoughts directly to you might help provide some closure.
So far, it hasn't done the trick.
Never your Jill,
Rachael”
― Laurie Faria Stolarz, Deadly Little Voices

“Fallon,�� he whispers, moving his lips slowly across mine. “Thank you for this beautiful gift.�� As soon as his words brush over my mouth, he covers me in a deep kiss. My whole body tenses from the burst of pain that ripples through me as he pushes inside of me, but the perfection of the way we fit together makes the pain a mere inconvenience. It’s beautiful. He’s beautiful. And somehow, with the way he’s looking down at me, I even believe I’m beautiful. He presses his mouth against my ear and whispers, “No combination of written words could ever do this moment justice.”
― Colleen Hoover, November 9

“I take his hand and pull him back to me, stealing another kiss, smiling against his lips as he kisses me back.
And kisses me again.
And then some more.
And I know he is mine. For now, for the rest of our lives, no matter what comes next.”
― Stacey Jay, Juliet Immortal

“He hesitates only a moment before pulling me close, arms tightening around me, mouth meeting mine the same way it did before. Purely, sweetly, wickedly, perfectly. He sighs against my lips, a sound of such relief it echoes through my skin, making me smile and our teeth bump together. I know exactly how he feels. How it feels to come home, to find sanctuary, to be handed that missing piece that makes life not something to be endured, but something to be celebrated.”
― Stacey Jay, Juliet Immortal

“Funyuns make you fart," Caspian said, and I exploded in laughter.
"What's so funny?" Ben asked.
I tried to stop laughing, but Caspian was leaning forward now, his face stck right in between us. "Funyuns give you bad breath, too. Not very attractive to the ladies." He paused. "ON second thought... enjoy your Funyuns, Ben!"
I had to bite the side of my cheek to keep from giggling. The fact that Ben had no clue what was going on made it even harder to stop.”
― Jessica Verday, The Haunted

“You don’t fucking get it, do you, Sparks?�� Out of sheer frustration, Ben thwacked the wall with his hand. Hard. So hard his palm stung. “I love you. I am so goddamned, madly in love with you, I can’t see straight.�� Ben’s voice resonated through the offices, echoed in his own ears. “You’re the first thing I think about in the morning and the last thing I imagine before I fall asleep. I dream about you. Every single night. I live to see you, at the office, at home, anywhere. I just need to see your face. Hold your body. Touch your skin. I need you, Mel. More than I need air. You can’t walk away from me. You can’t love someone else.�� He gulped in a breath and almost choked on the emotion clogging his throat, so when he spoke again his voice was scratchy, and much, much softer. “I screwed up. I made you choose. And I’m sorry. So desperately, pathetically sorry for that. But I can’t let you go. I can’t let him have you, because you’re mine. You were made for me, like I was made for you. We’re two peas in a pod, sweetness. We’re the same, you and I. We’re meant to be together.”
― Jess Dee, Office Affair

“You didn't know that... that my whole world stopped when I first saw you smile.”
― Amy Lane, The Winter Courtship Rituals of Fur-Bearing Critters

“Don't you dare. Don't you run away from me." He holds me tight, his fingers pressing into my back. "I'm listening. You're not Ariel. Then what should I call you? I don't care. I'll love you no matter what name you want me to use.”
― Stacey Jay, Juliet Immortal

“If you really want to be totally accurate about it, the day that really changed Abby's life wasn't the day she discovered her power.
It was the day Ben sang to her in the Telekinesis lab.”
― David Pogue, Abby Carnelia's One & Only Magic Power: Library Edition

“Yola çıkarken bu işin nerelere varabileceği hakkında etraflıca düşündüğümü hatırlamıyorum.
Gözlerimin önünde her gün el değiştiriyor içine sığışmaktan başka bir işime yaramayan gövdem.
İçinde bir yerlerde kendimi sakladığım “Ben”�� El değiştiriyor günde bir, haftada altı gün. Bir gün
dinleniyor�� İçinde sıkışıp kaldığım her fırsatta göç ediyorum. Bir et parçasının, içine sığındığım
boşluğu kimi zaman nazikçe, kimi zamansa düşmanca dürtüklediği, delik deşik ettiği her fırsatta��
Dar, toprak bir yola giriyorum. Ardıç ağaçlarının arasından geçip başakların arasında yürüyorum.
Uzun geniş bir dere uzanıyor tarlanın az ötesinde. Bir yanı hafif eğimli toprağa uzanıp göğe
dikiyorum gözlerimi. Sesleri duymaya çalışıyorum. Rüzgârın uğultusunu işitiyorum. Bir köpeğin
inlemesi gibi ince, tiz bir ses var kulaklarımda. Sonra epeyce uzakta soluyan birinin boğuk ve kalın
hırıltısı giriyor kulaklarımdan�� Terlemeye başlıyorum. Dere taşıyor. Önce bacaklarıma sonra daha
yukarı ve sonunda her yanıma�� Boğuluyorum�� O durmadan değişiyor�� Göçüm muğlak ve işin
aslı zihnimin sınırlarında.
“Ben�� dediğimse hâlâ bir kavrayıştan diğerine deviniyor. Bir avuçtan rutubeti bol başkaca
bir avuca. İşin aslı “Ben�� pek de bir yere varmış değil henüz. Sanki çorak bir toprak üzerinde çıplak
ayaklarıyla bir sağa, bir sola koşturuyor. Bir yere varır mı? Orası da bilinmez��
Bir bavul. Yarısını bir türlü sığışamadığım evimdeki boşluğun doldurduğu -orta boy- bir
bavul. Kalan yarısı da üç beş paçavra. Koşarak çıktığımı hatırlıyorum�� Bu işin nerelere
varabileceğini düşündüğümü de hatırlamıyorum. Çare arayan aklıma tecavüz etmiyor mu avludan
gelen davulla zurnanın kurnaz düeti? Ediyor�� Hem de ne ediyor�� Bir de her biri başka renk
çıplak ampüllerin altında oynayanların bağırtıları. Kahkaha bile attıkları oldu. Duydum�� Bir kaç el
de silah sesi�� Vızıldadı göğü yarıp geçen kurşun. Tırmanabildiği en yüksek noktadan sonra
tükenecek. Bir yerde düşecek�� Benim gibi�� Bir şeyleri yarıp geçmek istedim. Tükendikten sonra
görünmez, bilinmez, aranmaz, sorulmaz ve kurumuş bir yere düşüp toprağa karışmak. Bu
karmaşada nasıl düşünecektim bu işin nerelere varabileceğini��
“Ben�� işte orada çıktı karşıma. Şehirler arası bir otobüsün karanlık camına yansıdığında.
Yirmi bir numaralı koltuğa oturdu. Ben de içine oturdum. Sığıştım nihayet. Dışında ne varsa vardı,
ne olacaksa olsundu��
Ne olacaksaydı o oldu. Düşünemedim�� Şimdi avuç avucum. Avuç avuç alınabilen bir
“Ben�� içinde sıkışıp göç eden bir ruh�� Dışındaysa kat kat olmuş her yüzü ayrı fakat her yanı aynı
bir dünya��"
BEN, Şubat 2018”
― Eren Tümer

“I open up my arms and we come together. If I'm being honest, the group hug feels a little forced. But maybe that's not a bad thing. We're fighting to be close again, and that's beautiful. Maybe one day it'll feel easy again. We can start slow by following each other on Instagram again and keeping the group chat thread alive. We can plan hangouts instead of the good old days where we would just show up at each other's apartments. We can fall back in place, or somewhere close enough to where we were before. This summer with more do-overs than I can count gives me hope that the four of us will figure it out.”
― Becky Albertalli, Adam Silvera

“People don't feel uncomfortable when they look at you because of your scars, Fallon. They're uncomfortable because you make people feel like looking at you is wrong.”
― Colleen Hoover, November 9