But if everything was always smooth and perfect, you'd get too used to that, you know? You have to have a little bit of disorganization now and then.… - Sarah Dessen

Because you can never go from going out to being friends, just like that. It's a lie. It's just something that people say they'll do to take the permanence out of a breakup. And someone always takes it to mean more than it does, and then is hurt even more when, inevitably, said ‘friendly' relationship is still a major step down from the previous relationship, and it's like breaking up all over again. But messier.

I've given lots of people chances, she said suddenly, as if Marion was still in the room to hear us. But there's only so much faith you can have in people.

We can't expect everybody to be there for us, all at once. So it's a lucky thing that really, all you need is someone.