Autumn

“The thought of being whoever I want is a terrifying thing, because I have only ever been who everyone has wanted me to be.”
― Dianna Hardy, Saving Eve

“She had forced herself to learn to read – picked up bits and pieces, here and there, from the very few teachers who had been patient with her; from looking at words while out and about; from television, and from friends. And to avoid the shouting and drug-induced moaning, and the row of male visitors her mum would entertain, she would barricade herself in her room – there'd been no lock – and lose herself in books.”
― Dianna Hardy, Broken Lights

“God,” she butted her head into his chest, “I'm so angry with myself.”

“What? Why?”

“Because … this is my mess I dragged you into, and you don't deserve any of it, and I feel like I'm ruining you with every single thing I say, and…” she lifted her head, eyes shimmering, “I'm a selfish, selfish bitch. Because all I can think about, is whether I'll regret it in three hours, when we walk out of here, and I never know, not even once, what it's like to be with a really nice guy.”
― Dianna Hardy, Broken Lights

“Hope – or perhaps delusion – was a flame that had stayed lit, even though its scorching light would hurt. It had refused to go out.”
― Dianna Hardy, Broken Lights