Elite

Keep your head high. Ain’t nothing to look at on the ground,

I love you, Trace. I always have. Just remember that, okay? Hold on to it. No matter what I say or what I do... and trust me, I'll do some terrible things. Just know. I love you. With every fiber of my being.

Sometimes, Chase… it’s the emotional wounds that hurt the most.” I pushed back the anger and sighed. “I’d rather he beat me. Cuts heal, bruises fade — but broken hearts? They carry scars for a lifetime.

For a moment, life isn’t as hard as it seems. Effortless. It’s effortless, and then the gauntlet falls.

uh, yeah, I love...worms" Classic. Someone should record the gold that flows from my mouth.

Yeah, Chase. I have a cow under my bed. It's invisible, though, so you can't see it. But sometimes at night it comes out to play. What the hell is wrong with your brain?

I need you like I need my heart to pump blood through my body, like I need air to breathe, like we need gravity.

I need you like I need my heart to pump blood through my body, like I need air to breathe, like we need gravity. Hell, you are my gravity. Being with you makes me feel centered and whole, and I’m too screwed up to convince you to want any different. I’m too selfish to push you into someone else’s arms when I know mine may be the worst ones for you to be in.” I love you.

Cuts heal, bruises fade—but broken hearts? They carry scars for a lifetime.

I would have kissed you harder. I would have fought for you more. I don't know. I would have stolen you away, taken your virtue, made myself so permanently etched on your person that every time you took a breath it was my scent that was permeating the air.

I promise not to shoot him." "good" "today

If one could call Chase Winter a friend. I was still trying to figure him out. All things considered, I had no doubt in my mind that if I told him I needed someone killed, he wouldn't even ask questions. He'd simply ask who and jog away.

Why was I the lucky one getting haunted by the gangster of Christmas past?

Great. Note to self. Listen to the godfather.

I always thought Nixon was the scary one. The one everyone was afraid of. It's possible I had underestimated Chase... big time.

I won't let anything happen to you - I swear on my life, I'll protect you until the day I die.

Remember? I'm the one who keeps you safe. I'm the one that would die for you and all that? why, want me to prove my loyalty?

That's stupid." I laughed into his chest. "Boys can't save girls." "You're right." He kissed my temple. "It's the other way around.

I briefly closed my eyes and imagined him in a Barbie minivan hoping to expel the way his masculinity made me want to strip down to nothing and throw caution to the wind.

A day ago I was worried he'd look the other way if a car was barreling toward me. Now.. well, now it felt like he would do anything to keep me close - almost as if he'd lost me before and knew what it felt like to be without me. But that was crazy. Clearly I'd never been kissed like that before, because my mind was conjuring up all sorts of crazy stories. I needed to stop reading so much.

Boots, it’s college. We’re segregated regardless, whether it be by major or class. This is just the way things are here. It keeps everyone safe.

If you have a bad feeling about something… If your gut is twisting at the idea of following through with a bad choice… Just say no. Do not be a yes person.

Maybe the world isn’t as shiny and fun as you once thought. People are mean. Humanity is a cruel joke, Trace.

Don't ruin it by saying something. Now. Go to class.