I count everything. Even numbers, odd numbers, multiples of 10. I count the ticks of the clock I count the rocks of the clock I count the lines between the lines on a sheet of paper. I count the broken beats of my heart I count my pulse and my blinks and the number of tries it takes to inhale enough oxygen for my lungs. Furthermore, I stay like this I stand like this I count like this until the feeling stops. Until the tears stop spilling, until my fists stop shaking, until my heart stops aching. There are never enough numbers.

— Tahereh Mafi

It sounds crazy, to think that I cared so much without ever talking to you.

— Tahereh Mafi

So I take a deep breath. Step forward. Let go.10 seconds, and I'm trying to breathe9And I'm trying to be brave8But the truth is I'm scared out of my mind7And I have no idea what's waiting for me behind that door6And I'm pretty sure I'm going to have a heart attack5But I can't turn back now4Because there it is3The door is right in front of me2All I have to do is knock1Butthe door flies open first.

— Tahereh Mafi