I will see my father in every anger.

— Courtney Summers

I wish I could break this window. Step through it. But I can't break this window. I can't even find some less dramatic way to die inside this school, like hanging myself or slitting my wrists, because what would they do with my body? It might put everyone at risk. I won't let myself do that. I'm not selfish like Lily. I hate her. Furthermore, I hate her so much my heart tries to crawl out of my throat, but it gets stuck there and beats crazily in the too narrow space. Furthermore, I bring my hands to my neck and try to massage it back down. I pres so heard against the skin, my eyes sting, and then I'm hurrying back down the stairs, back to the first floor. Furthermore, I think of Trace running laps, something he can control.

— Courtney Summers

Mom and Dad exchange a nervous glance and have a telepathic conversation about it. I hear every word. Do we let her out? It's past curfew. True, but look at that—at least she asked! I know! I can hardly believe it! She could have sneaked out, but she asked! I know! We're good parents! "What time will you be back?" Dad asks.

— Courtney Summers

My hands are dying.

— Courtney Summers

She hates her heart, that misguided organ in her chest. Why didn't it warn her?

— Courtney Summers

She was young and alive, untouchable. Why did she want to go?

— Courtney Summers

There is nothing like discovering your own secrets in someone else’s story. Those thoughts and feelings you believed were too ugly or strange or idealistic or desperate or whimsical or hungry or sad they had to be just you because there could be no other place for them, anywhere. Books that make you realize you’re not alone, you never were. Those are the ones I like best.

— Courtney Summers

There's always this one girl. She's desperate, and she's weird, and she's jealous, and you're stuck with her, no matter how hard you try to get her off your back. Just throw some really fucked-up self-esteem issues into the mix and you have Kara.

— Courtney Summers

The sooner you make a mistake and learn to live with it, the better. You're not responsible for everything. You can't control the way things end up.

— Courtney Summers

Whatever's between us is that kind of new.

— Courtney Summers