Riley Jean > Quotes

“When you’re young, experiencing new relationships and first loves, nobody really knows what they’re doing. We chase the butterflies and try to capture the perfect moments. But the more you grow, the more you realize that’s not what it’s all about. Love becomes real when the ideal fades away. When that one person becomes more important than yourself. When you make the decision that no matter the cost, you’ll never stop fighting for them. When you can face each other, scarred and unashamed in this dark, lonely world, and feel like you’re finally home.
Until we are ready to love with all our hearts, all our minds, and all our souls, we are nothing but lonesome people, just looking to use somebody.”
― Riley Jean, Use Somebody

“I just wanted to have someone who understands the real me, and likes me anyway. Is that so crazy?”
― Riley Jean, Use Somebody

“Relationships are like that. Each time you fall in love with someone, you give part of your heart away. And when they’re gone, they take it with them. Some people gave little pieces away too many times... Some people gave their whole heart away once... When it ends, what is left of their heart? A smaller piece? A large hole? Could you fill it up, would it heal over or grow back?
And what happens when there’s nothing left to give?”
― Riley Jean, Use Somebody

“Was it possible for a girl to be both nice and have backbone? And if so, what was that supposed to look like?”
― Riley Jean, Use Somebody

“I can’t change the stars for you; all I can do is love you. And I think that will be enough. You don’t have to be alone anymore. You just need to let me in.”
― Riley Jean, Use Somebody

“The worst part of breaking up wasn’t the actual time-of-death. It was surviving, day after day, dealing with the loss.”
― Riley Jean, Use Somebody

“So you’d do it all over again? You’d risk sacrificing your sanity to chase the idea of love, knowing that the harder you fall, the worse it’ll hurt in the end?”
“Without a second thought. Sometimes love sucks…”
“I concur so far,” I interjected.
“…But as it bad as it can be, I think it could be just as amazing. And that makes all the hard parts worth it. So you can’t let it keep you down. People come and go. But you can always hold the good times in your heart, even if that person’s no longer with you. You have to look back at everything that’s made life good, instead of why it isn’t now. Life isn’t something to endure, Rosie. It’s something to experience.”
― Riley Jean, Use Somebody

“We were in a battle of wills: him fighting to befriend me, and me fighting to ignore him. It was only a matter of time until one of us cracked.”
― Riley Jean, Use Somebody

“Sometimes the best thing that ever happened to you could also be the worst.”
― Riley Jean, Use Somebody

“There’s no shame in admitting I don’t have it all figured out yet (perfect love). But I’ll tell you one thing---real love is more than one moment. It’s a whole forever of moments, good and bad. It’s seeing every unlovable detail about a person and loving them anyway. It’s a physical feeling, like there’s no such thing as being close enough. It’s choosing to be with somebody despite every obstacle or excuse you can come up with. It outlasts everything and overcomes all, no matter what, because when it’s real, you can never stop fighting for it. That’s the perfect love.”
― Riley Jean, Use Somebody

“All my life I've been waiting. I'm tired of trying so hard not to feel anything. I'm tired of pretending to be brave. I'm tired of avoiding it all, waiting for everything to be perfect, then being afraid to take a chance when it finally feels right.”
― Riley Jean, Use Somebody

“I wished he’d stop trying to make me believe everything was going to be okay.
Because it was working.”
― Riley Jean, Use Somebody

“I looked down at our hands. Why did they have to fit together so perfectly? I hated the tingly warmth I got whenever we touched. I hated that I didn’t want him to let go. And I hated that he knew it.”
― Riley Jean, Use Somebody

“Then why? Nobody does all this for nothing, so what is it that you’re looking to get from all this? Huh? What is it that you want from me?”
Without hesitating, Vance leaned forward and pierced me with his stare. “I just want you to know that there are good guys out there. There are people in this world you can trust, that don’t have ulterior motives. You just have to find them.” He paused, allowing the candor behind his words to sink in. “The only thing I want, Rosie, is to see you happy.”
― Riley Jean, Use Somebody

“He spoke softly. “It begs the question, don’t you think? Can a man and a woman, both single and unattached, ever just be strictly friends?”
Easy. “I think they can—”
“No, Rosie. They can’t. Every time, eventually, one of them begins to fall.”
― Riley Jean, Use Somebody

“Are you listening to me? I just admitted I used you. Don’t you have any pride?”
“I’m not too proud to kiss the girl I’ve been dreaming about for weeks.” He tucked a curl behind my ear. “Is that what you need? Kiss me. Yell at me. Get it all out. I said I’m here for you and I meant it. I wasn’t the one who insisted this had to be all or nothing. I want you, all of you. But if you can’t handle that right now, I’m willing to compromise. That’s what relationships are all about.”
― Riley Jean, Use Somebody

“Alone again. But not lonely. This was my fate. I’d reached a point so low that I actually stopped wishing for relief. Hope was dangerous. Giving up was self-preservation. I was better off trusting no one.”
― Riley Jean, Use Somebody

“I’m tired of hurting. I’m tired of seeing others get hurt. I’ve already learned the hard way several times over. And I decided months ago those mistakes were not worth repeating.
So why can’t I stop?”
― Riley Jean, Use Somebody

“I want you to give me something real. Don’t tell me how practical it is to start all over someplace else. Tell me you’re hurting. Tell me you’re scared. Tell me that even the smallest part of you doesn’t want to leave me. I need to know that you feel something, Rosie. For once, I need to hear the words.”
― Riley Jean, Use Somebody

“Didn’t you know? This damaged heart
Had shut out the world for an independent start
I was perfectly fine behind this stone lock
Depending on no one, I am my own rock
Now you’re there to catch me, asking for trust
Your arms are wide open but I will not jump
The more you persist, the more I push back
The more we resist, the more we attach
Tiptoeing lightly along this brick wall
Can lovers stay friends when one will not fall?”
― Riley Jean, Use Somebody

“Everyone makes mistakes. It's part of life. We learn, we move on, and hopefully we do it better next time around. All you can do is try your best.”
― Riley Jean, Use Somebody

“He walked the fine line between brilliance and delusional.”
― Riley Jean, Use Somebody

“Despite myself, I had come to like him.”
― Riley Jean, Use Somebody

“You made some mistakes in the past,” he deduced. I nodded warily. “Do you trust me? Am I another mistake?”
I bit my lip. I did trust him. And that terrified me. But did I regret how far we’d come together, even if it caused nothing but heartache and complications? If I had the choice to go back and do it all over again, where would I draw the line? Would I have never kissed him? Never confided in him? Never thrown that first marshmallow or eaten that first pancake? How far back would I have to go? And which of those memories would I be willing to give up?”
― Riley Jean, Use Somebody

“Oh Rosie… what have those jaded eyes of yours seen?”
― Riley Jean, Use Somebody

“You’re a mystery to me, Scarlett Rose. But one day I’m gonna have you all figured out.”
― Riley Jean, Use Somebody

“It was so much easier to concede to temptation the second time around. Because I knew exactly how soft his lips would feel. I knew just how warm he was, and how perfect his weight would fit over my body.”
― Riley Jean, Use Somebody

“Although I’d never wish for those rose-colored glasses back, I was left wondering if it was at all possible to know the ugliest of ugly in this world, and still be optimistic.”
― Riley Jean, Use Somebody

“Not even a thousand rabid music fans could separate me from you.”
― Riley Jean, Use Somebody

“Trust is a dangerous thing. Just like love. And hope.”
― Riley Jean, Use Somebody