Quotes from Barely Breathing

Rebecca Donovan ·  385 pages

Rating: (63.4K votes)


“I breathed for you... I begged for you to breathe with every breath I gave to you. I kept pleading for you to breathe over and over again. And then… then you did. ~ Evan”
― Rebecca Donovan, quote from Barely Breathing


“Sometimes people hurt more than they can handle... And sometimes they don't know how to ask for help. They're so caught up in their own pain, they end up hurting everyone around them.”
― Rebecca Donovan, quote from Barely Breathing


“We can contemplate the meaning of your life all you want, but know that you're my meaning... the reason behind just about everything I do―and I would never want to change that. ~ Evan”
― Rebecca Donovan, quote from Barely Breathing


“That night, when you were lying there, broken and barely breathing, I promised. I promised to always love you and that no one would ever hurt you again.”
― Rebecca Donovan, quote from Barely Breathing


“I knew how much Evan loved me. And I knew I didn't deserve it. But I also knew he was the only one I loved. The only one I would ever love.”
― Rebecca Donovan, quote from Barely Breathing



“Hold on to this life, Emma," he whispered. "You're so much stronger than you think you are. ~ Evan”
― Rebecca Donovan, quote from Barely Breathing


“She thinks I'm strong because I can push everything into the dark. But it leaves me empty. And the dark always finds me in my sleep.”
― Rebecca Donovan, quote from Barely Breathing


“I've spent most of my life trying to make it to a future that still hasn't happened, or avoid a past that won't let me go. I don't remember when I've ever just stopped to live in the present, to hold on to the seconds I'm in. ~ Emma”
― Rebecca Donovan, quote from Barely Breathing


“My point is... he loves you. I mean it's obvious to everyone how much he cares for you, but I was hoping he didn't really love you, not like that―not like I saw when he held you that night. Like your pain was his and he would do anything in the world for you, to protect you... All I have to say is that he's the most amazing person I've ever met, and I'd give anything for someone to love me like that, so you'd better deserve him, Emma. ~ Analise”
― Rebecca Donovan, quote from Barely Breathing


“You asked why I stayed when I had every reason to leave ~ I stayed for you. I was drawn to you almost instantly without really understanding what was happening. I will always be here for you, Emma. ~ Jonathan”
― Rebecca Donovan, quote from Barely Breathing



“I want to promise you that I will never do anything to hurt Evan, and I will not come between him and his family. I love him, but I would walk away before I'd ever let anything jeopardize his happiness.”
― Rebecca Donovan, quote from Barely Breathing


“But you can't keep him in the dark when everything starts falling apart. You're not protecting him, you know. You're pushing him away.”
― Rebecca Donovan, quote from Barely Breathing


“Holy hotness. He is beautiful. I mean truly beu-ti-ful. Like the kind of beautiful they build statues to worship. ~ Sara”
― Rebecca Donovan, quote from Barely Breathing


“I'm here, Emma. I'll never let you go," he whispered in my ear , holding me tighter.”
― Rebecca Donovan, quote from Barely Breathing


“But in order to really see it, the truth, I have to admit how much I'm hated. And who wants to think they're worthy of that much anger? To be despised so much... to have someone wish you never existed. ~ Emma”
― Rebecca Donovan, quote from Barely Breathing



“But wanting to protect you, loving you... You will always be my choice.”
― Rebecca Donovan, quote from Barely Breathing


“How did I end up with you ? I mean, my life's so messed up and then..." I kept shaking my head in wonderment. "And then there's...you. I couldn't have made you up if I'd tried.”
― Rebecca Donovan, quote from Barely Breathing


“Before he could lean down to kiss me, I heard, “A nd that’s Evan and Emma, one of Weslyn High’s power couples. Evan’s gorge’ but don’t even bother looking―he won’t see you.”
― Rebecca Donovan, quote from Barely Breathing


“She can't keep hurting you and using you
like an emotional punching bag. It's messed up. How many times do you have to forgive her before she destroys you?”
― Rebecca Donovan, quote from Barely Breathing


“Sometimes people hurt more than they can handle. And sometimes they don't know how to ask for help. They're so caught up in their own pain, they end up hurting everyone around them.”
― Rebecca Donovan, quote from Barely Breathing



“Having sex is all trust. You can’t take it back once you do it, and it leaves you completely emotionally vulnerable.”
― Rebecca Donovan, quote from Barely Breathing


“I think it's because we both understand what it's like. It's not easy to talk like this with other people because they don't know. They don't know what it's like to be hated by the people who are supposed to love you. - Emma”
― Rebecca Donovan, quote from Barely Breathing


“I close my eyes to the truth. I refuse to see what's happening, convinced that I can handle whatever it is believing that I'm strong enough and will recognize when I'm not. - Emma”
― Rebecca Donovan, quote from Barely Breathing


“That's one of my favourite things."
"What's that?"
"Watching you come down the stairs.”
― Rebecca Donovan, quote from Barely Breathing


“We can contemplate the meaning of your life all you want, but know that you're my meaning... the reason behind just about everything I do - and I would never want to change that.”
― Rebecca Donovan, quote from Barely Breathing



“After gathering myself, I finally stated bluntly, “Sara, I want to have sex.”

"Well, of course you do," she responded like I'd said the most obvious thing in the world.

“But what if I’m terrible at it?”

Sara started laughing hysterically. I hung up the phone. She called back ten seconds later.

“Sorry,” she offered calmly. “You’re serious.”
― Rebecca Donovan, quote from Barely Breathing


“I rested back down on Evan's chest, listening to the beating of his heart. He pulled the blanket over us and embraced me like the strength of his arms could ward off the sorrow.”
― Rebecca Donovan, quote from Barely Breathing


“And I would absolutely not be the same person if you never existed" I lifted my head and remainded still with anticipation. "We can contemplate the meaning of your life all you want, but know that you're my meaning...the reason behind just about everything I do-and I would never want to change that.”
― Rebecca Donovan, quote from Barely Breathing


“I realized I had never been alone like this before.”
― Rebecca Donovan, quote from Barely Breathing


“Her sunshine and rainbows smile was too bright for my emotional hangover.”
― Rebecca Donovan, quote from Barely Breathing



About the author

Rebecca Donovan
Born place: The United States
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