Celly

“Alles schmerzt, aber ... es gibt Umarmungen. Auch wenn sie nicht immer so warm sind, wie ich mir erhofft habe, sind sie da. Es gibt Lächeln auf müden Gesichtern, von Menschen, die nichts dadurch gewinnen, sie an mich zu verschenken. Es gibt Bücher und all die Empfindungen, die sich zwischen ihren Seiten verbergen; wie ein Gespräch mit Menschen, die ich nie getroffen habe. Es gibt Schlaf, es gibt Ruhe, es gibt Wasser, Pfanzen, Bäume, Rauschen, Wind, Haut, Wärme, Sonne, Sterne. Es gibt mich. Es gibt mich. Mehr muss ich nicht wissen.”
― Marie Graßhoff, I Am the Blade

“I licked my dry lips, glancing around at everyone staring at us. Finally I looked up into Cole’s handsome face. “I’m here because I love you, and I need to ask you something.” I took a deep breath. It was time to go big.

I lowered myself to one knee.

Cole’s eyes grew round and I heard a few female gasps behind him. “Shannon, what—”

“Cole Walker, I once told you in fear that you were nothing, but there has never been a day of your life that that was true and there has never been a day I’ve ever really thought that. You’ve been extraordinary to me since we were fifteen.” I smiled shakily, feeling vulnerable and frightened but hopeful too as he stared down at me with growing tenderness in his expression. “Apart from Logan I’ve never had a real family. The kind you can count on through everything. The kind that gives you second, third, fourth chances because the other option is no option at all. Because they love you and they’re there for you. Unconditionally. Logan was the only one who ever gave me that. Until you. You’re my family, Cole. I want you to be my family forever.” I laughed hoarsely. “I don’t have a ring or anything. I just have me. And I know I’m not perfect and I know you deserve perfect . . . but I love you more than anyone else in this world and I promise you I’ll never let you forget that again.” My heart slowed its rapid beating as a sense of calm came over me. A sense of rightness. It was as if I’d found the balance I’d been missing ever since I got in that car and left Cole behind on that stoop on Scotland Street all those years ago. “It’s always been you, and I always want it to be . . . Marry me, Cole.”
― Samantha Young, Echoes of Scotland Street

“Kaz leaned back. "What's the easiest way to steal a man's wallet?"
"Knife to the throat?" asked Inej.
"Gun to the back?" said Jesper.
"Poison in his cup?" suggested Nina.
"You're all horrible," said Matthias.”
― Leigh Bardugo, Six of Crows

“It’s not the end of the world, Shannon. Trust me.” Trust him? I really wish people would stop asking me to do that.”
― Samantha Young, Echoes of Scotland Street