Quotes from One Man Guy

Michael Barakiva ·  255 pages

Rating: (9K votes)


“You know, when I came home after our day in the city, I just crashed, thinking about Remi and how much I missed him. And then the next day was worse, And when you walked up to me at that ice cream machine, I just felt myself crumble inside. Around Remi, I felt like I was always trying to act like I was good enough. But around you, I don't want to pretend or hide. That's why I didn't say anything in the cafeteria that day, I knew that in five seconds, I'd be crying on your shoulder."

"That's what it's there for, Ethan."

Alek leaned in, took Ethan's face in his hands, and kissed him.”
― Michael Barakiva, quote from One Man Guy


“And did you feel like, 'This is it!?' Did music swell and fireworks explode and did you think to yourself,'This is what a kiss is supposed to feel like?'"

"It was like ice cream."

"I worked at DQ. Trust me, it's not like ice cream."

"No, I mean it's like all my life I've been eating frozen yogurt. And kissing boys is ice cream.”
― Michael Barakiva, quote from One Man Guy


“A friend was someone you talked to in school, joined a club with, or who went to your church. A stupid fight in a basement could end a normal friendship. But a best friend was someone you could trust with your life, someone who you knew would be there for you. Being best friends was a promise to work through things no matter what.”
― Michael Barakiva, quote from One Man Guy


“You're not scared to do the right thing, even when it's harder. Like telling Mr. Weedin when he had copied that problem wrong. Or calling me out when you thought I was being homophobic. And I respect that, Alek. You've got character. That's something I want in a guy I'm going to be with. It means he's going to treat me well, and that he deserves to be treated well himself.”
― Michael Barakiva, quote from One Man Guy


“All Alek knew was that he missed Seth differently from everything else in the world he left behind.”
― Michael Barakiva, quote from One Man Guy



“Because anyone who thinks there is something wrong with being gay is like those people you read about in History who believed it segregation.”
― Michael Barakiva, quote from One Man Guy


“Because you were being a salty bitch”
― Michael Barakiva, quote from One Man Guy


“«This summer's been a dream,» Ethan murmured.
«I know.»
«I just hate that we've only got one week before it ends.»
«You've got it all wrong, Eth,» Alek said, gently running his hand through Ethan's surfer hair. «This summer's not the dream. We are. You and me. And it doesn't matter what time of the year it is, as long as we're together.»
«I like that, Polly-O.» Ethan smiled.
«We'll wreak havoc, you and me.» Alek told him.”
― Michael Barakiva, quote from One Man Guy


“it’s like all my life I’ve been eating frozen yogurt. And kissing boys is ice cream.”
― Michael Barakiva, quote from One Man Guy


“Every wall in Ethan's room was covered with images, making Alek feel like he'd stepped into a kaleidoscope.”
― Michael Barakiva, quote from One Man Guy



About the author

Michael Barakiva
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― Philippa Gregory, quote from The Favored Child


“All at once I recognized the face I’d only glimpsed at my uncle’s table. “Sir, are you--are you Iolaus, great Herakles’s nephew?”
He gave an uncomfortable laugh and scratched his head. “I can’t deny it. How did you know me?”
“I saw you at dinner.” That was the truth, even if he’d believe I’d done so from a place at the servants’ table, not the king’s. “I’ve heard the poets sing of your exploits. It’s an honor to meet you.”
His mouth curved into a charming smile. “The real honor would be to meet Herakles. Surely you’ve heard what some of the other hunters say about me? That Lord Oeneus allowed me to join the hunt only because of my uncle’s deeds, not mine.”
“If you ask me, some of the men who scoff at you wouldn’t fare so well if anyone looked closely at their claims to fame,” I replied hotly. “Everyone knows that you were the one who helped Herakles slay the nine-headed Hydra!”
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“No, but--”
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“Oh.” I was deeply disappointed.
“Now, now, cheer up.” Iolaus put on a jolly face. “No need to lose heart just because my adventures are such trivial things. All the more reason for you to grow up strong and brave and perform truly heroic deeds. Show the rest of us how it’s done, eh?”
― Esther M. Friesner, quote from Nobody's Princess


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