My sister, who never understood most of the things I wanted her to, might have been able to understand what had happened to me in this summer of weddings and beginnings. And she was right. The first boy was always the hardest. Sarah Dessen More Quotes by Sarah Dessen More Quotes From Sarah Dessen Morris was not the type to offer a hug or even hold your hand. But there was something in his quiet indignation at the universe then--and Luke, now--that was just the kind of comfort I needed. "I'm such a mess," I said. "We're almost off the island and I didn't even ask you where you were going." He shrugged. "No place. Wherever you are. Sarah Dessen hug islands hands But as was so often the case, it was the one person missing who you thought about more than the ones who were right in front of you. Sarah Dessen cases persons missing And so we stood there in the kitchen, my mother and I, facing off over everything that had built up since June, when I was willing to hand myself over free and clear. Now I needed her to return it all to me, with the faith that I could make my own way. Sarah Dessen june mother hands How weird that must be, to stay the same as everyone else changes. Sarah Dessen The end of a wedding reception is always so depressing. And only the bride and groom are spared, jetting off into the sunset while the rest of us wake up the next morning to just another day. Sarah Dessen sunset depressing morning My books are so tame! Sarah Dessen book It takes so little to change everything. If you really thought about it, it would scare you to death. Sarah Dessen scare ifs littles Best Friends. And I thought of what she had done all the millions of times I cried to her, collapsing at even the slightest wounding of my heart or pride. So I reached over and pulled her to me, wrapping my arms around her, and held my best friend close, returning so many favors all at once. Sarah Dessen my-best-friend pride heart The first boy was always the hardest. Sarah Dessen hardest boys firsts The thing is I'm a great believer in the perfect moment. They don't come around that often. Sarah Dessen believer moments perfect Okay," I said, "what's your biggest fear?" As always, he took a second to think about the answer. "Clowns," he said. "Clowns." "Yup." I just looked at him. "What?" he said, glancing over at me. "That is not a real answer," I told him. "Says who?" "Says me. I meant a real fear, like of failure, of death, of regret. Like that. Something that keeps you awake nights, questioning your very existence." He thought for a second. "Clowns. Sarah Dessen regret real night In midair, dangling lost above the world. Sarah Dessen lost world I would have thought this would make me feel better.. getting to be the one to leave and not the one left behind. But it didn't. Not at all. Sarah Dessen left-behind feel-better feels I would miss Colby, but it wasn't going anywhere. All the more reason why I should. Sarah Dessen fresh-start missing reason-why She stroked my hair and told me I was beautiful, but I was old enough by then to know not to believe it anymore. Sarah Dessen hair beautiful believe What is family? They were the people who claimed you. In good, in bad, in parts or in whole, they were the ones who showed up, who stayed there, regardless. Sarah Dessen whole people Quiet and incredible. I really envy that. Sarah Dessen envy incredibles quiet Some things are meant to be broken. Imperfect. Chaotic. Sarah Dessen truth-about-forever imperfect broken Doesn't it seem sometimes that the whole world's uphill but at least we know the way back will be easy. Sarah Dessen sometimes way world Only a real asshole takes liberties with someone else's car stereo. That's serious. Sarah Dessen car liberty real