As much as thinking this upsets me, I’m starting to see that I need the merry-go-round much more than it needs me, and in the end my choice is to hop back on or get left in the dust.

I just need some time to get over all those years of having liked him.

A million dollars sounds like a lot, I know. Especially when you’re young. But you can’t let money erode your principles or you’ll wind up with nothing.

I’ve decided this is all your fault, Ms. Leone. I’ve run away before, you know, but stowed away or jumped trains or broke into buildings, I just ran away and got caught. But I think all that stuff you told us about the Underground Railroad got lodged in my subconscious, and somewhere inside it gave me the strength or courage or insanity to really get away. So see? This is all your fault.

If you were in love with her, that would be one thing. Love is something to be afraid of, but this, this is embarrassing.

Repetition. Effort. Pain. Success. There really is no shortcut.

Surely, I thought, a few bushes and some dilapidated wood couldn’t stop someone’s best and brightest blessing! Surely not!

The finish line comes into view and you will yourself toward it, but the wind pushes you back, and your body begs you to give up, and the whole world seems to grind into slow motion. Your determination is all that’s left. It forces your muscles to fire. Forces you to stay in the race. Forces you to survive the pain of this moment.

I hate t see you swim out so far you can’t swim back.

But in my heart I knew the old Bryce was toast. There was no going back. Not to Garrett or Shelly or Miranda or any of the other people who wouldn’t understand. Juli was different, but after all these years that didn’t bother me anymore. I liked it. I liked her.