“She realized that this scarred, sarcastic boy, was gentle with the things he loved.”

“she was glad she had been scarred. She said that whoever loved her now would love her true self, and not her pretty face.”

“The worst thing a boy can do is ignore a girl when she's loving you with all her heart.”

“A gentle boy with a gentle soul, but every soul contains its own opposite, and the opposite of gentleness was ruthlessness—the beautiful wreckage of mercy.”

“Once there was a tree, and she loved a little boy.”

“She didn't know how much she'd been hoping that he still loved her, until she felt how much it hurt to realize he didn't.”

“She was afraid, and the afraid, she realized, sought opportunities for bravery in love.”

“Oh, how she did love that queer, common boy!”

“Scar tissue is stronger than regular tissue. Realize the strength, move on.”

“Precious Saviour! come in spirit, and lay Thy strong, gentle grasp of love on our dear boys and girls, and keep these our lambs from the fangs of the wolf.”