Hey, Carlos," the Professor says when he walks in. "How was REACH?"" It sucked."" Can you be more specific?" my guardian asks." It really sucked," I elaborate, sarcasm dripping from every word.

— Simone Elkeles

Hey, Shell-bell," I say, leaning over her and wiping her face with a napkin. "It's the first day of school. Wish me luck." Shelley holds jerky arms out and gives me a lopsided smile. I love that smile." You want to give me a hug?" I ask her, knowing she does. The doctors always tell us the more interaction Shelley gets, the better off she'll be. Shelley nods. I fold myself in her arms, careful to keep her hands away from my hair. When I straighten, my mom gasps. It sounds to me like a referee's whistle, halting my life. "Brit, you can't go to school like that."" Like what?" She shakes her head and sighs in frustration. "Look at your s

— Simone Elkeles

How was the kiss with Alex?"" Nice," I say, thinking about how sensual it was. "Actually, Isabel, it was more than nice. It was fucking incredible." Isabel starts laughing, and I laugh right along with her this time.

— Simone Elkeles

I catch sight of Luis with one of my bandannas on his head and my gut tightens. I yank it off him. "Don't ever touch this, Luis."" Why not?" he asks, his deep brown eyes all innocent. To Luis, it's a bandanna. To me, it's a symbol of what is and will never be. How the hell am I supposed to explain it to an eleven-year-old kid? He knows what I am. It's no secret the bandanna has the Latino Blood colors on it. Payback and revenge got me in and now there's no way out. But I'll die before I let one of my brothers get sucked in. I ball the bandanna in my fist. "Luis, don't touch my shit. Especially my Blood stuff."" I like red and black." That's the last thing I need to hear. "If I ever catch you wearin' it again, you'll be sportin' black and blue," I tell him. "Got it, little brother?" He shrugs. "Yeah. I got it.

— Simone Elkeles

I don't know why or when I started falling for you, Alex. But I did. Ever since I almost ran over your motorcycle that first day of school I haven't been able to stop thinking about what it would be like if you and I got together. And that kiss ... God, I swear I never experienced anything like that in my life. It did mean something. If the solar system didn't tilt then, it never will. I know it's crazy because we're so different. And if anything happens between us, I don't want people at school to know. Not that you'll agree to have a secret relationship with me, but I at least have to find out if it's possible. I broke up with Colin, who I had a very public relationship with, and I'm ready for something private. Private and real. I know I'm babbling like an idiot, but if you don't say something soon or give me a hint of what you're thinking then I'll--""Say it again," he says." That whole drawn-out speech?" I remember something about a solar system, but I'm too light-headed to recite the entire thing all over again. He steps closer. "No. The part about you fallin' for me." My eyes cling to his. "I think about you all the time, Alex. And I really, really want to kiss you again." The sides of his mouth turn up. Unable to face him, I look at the ground. "Don't make fun of me." I can take anything but that right about

— Simone Elkeles

If my name was Richard, I'd go by Richard or Rich...not Dick. Hell I'd even settle for being called Chard.

— Simone Elkeles

I gave you my heart, but it wasn't enough.

— Simone Elkeles

I give her the only honest and true answer I have." You're where I want to be.

— Simone Elkeles

I have to protect you,” he says softly.

— Simone Elkeles

I have trust issues.”“I know. I’m on a mission to cure you of that.

— Simone Elkeles