“He was waiting for me to say something. He was staring at me. This, I think, is the first time I dared myself to stare back at him. Usually, I'd cast a glance and then look away—look away because I didn't want to swim in the lovely, clear pool of his eyes unless I'd been invited to—and I never waited long enough to know whether I was even wanted there; look away because I was too scared to stare anyone back; look away because I didn't want to give anything away; look away because I couldn't acknowledge how much he mattered. Look away because that steely gaze of his always reminded me of how tall he stood and how far below him ranked.”
Part 2, p. 78
Call Me By Your Name (2007)
Help us to complete the source, original and additional information
André Aciman 5
writer, professor 1951Related quotes

“I don't want… to run away by myself… because no matter what… I'd rather be together with everyone…”

On wearing leotards and fishnet stockings in his early performances.
Rolling Stone interview (2003)
Context: I wore that because it makes me look beautiful. I stare at myself in the mirror and I think, "Wow, I'm really great-looking."... I think I'm the greatest, anyway.

As quoted in NME (June 1983); later in NME Rock 'N' Roll Years (1992) by John Tobler, p. 381