Rose lived the same life I did, but she doesn’t have PTSD. No bad dreams, no missing memories. Sometimes I’m jealous that she seems to deal with everything better than I do. But then I’ll catch her with this hollow look in her eyes and think maybe she just disguises everything for my benefit. Maybe she’s broken on the inside too.

— Paula Stokes

Sobs force their way out of my throat. I feel like I’m trapped in a disaster movie where everything is shriveling into darkness and ash. Sunflowers are being uprooted. Puppies are being trampled. Whole cities are crumbling to dust.

— Paula Stokes

Some people just want to be part of the story, even if it’s a story that’s completely fabricated.

— Paula Stokes

Some people think they can just decree that everything will be fine. The world doesn’t work like that. I’m not sure the world gives a crap about anyone’s promises, well-meaning or otherwise. Sometimes the Universe just takes what it wants.

— Paula Stokes

Sometimes being poor means having to choose between your principles and your survival.

— Paula Stokes

Standing up for yourself is about more than flinging barbed-wire insults around. It's about picking your battles, knowing when to fight, knowing exactly what and who is worth fighting for.

— Paula Stokes

There are so many different ways for someone to say your name. I’m not sure if I ever realized that before I met Jesse. Prior to him, it was just Rose calling out to me with love and affection or Gideon relaying his quiet approval or disapproval. Crisp, clear notes. When Jesse says my name, it’s a chord, a mash-up of several intense emotions all reflected in two syllables.

— Paula Stokes

There’s nothing abnormal about loneliness.

— Paula Stokes

The truth doesn't get you very far on the streets, or in a group home, or even in high school. That's probably why the idea of Liars, Inc. appealed to me. Everybody lies. You might as well get paid for it.

— Paula Stokes

The truth never hurts worse than finding out someone you care about lied to you.

— Paula Stokes