Jessica’s Reviews > Pretty Vicious > Status Update

“Don’t let us dim your light, Laurel. Don’t let us, me, take pieces of your soul because, I promise you, once they’re gone, you won’t ever get them back.”

“What if the only way to survive is to become the thing you hate?”

Some victories don’t feel like wins. Just proof you survived what should’ve killed you.

“Then we make Laurel into a weapon. One sharp enough to kill.”

trying to pretend I didn’t just get weirdly emotional about education. What can I say? I was raised with a love of learning. It was like a religion in my house. We all prayed to the power of knowledge.

“There’s something seriously wrong with you.” He laughs again. “I never said there wasn’t.”

He says it like it’s funny, but I can’t see the joke in that. “You see,” he says casually, “everyone either wants to kill me or fuck me. It’s kind of my lot in life. Which one are you going to be, Laurel?”

We walk slowly back to Ashford House, with me avoiding all the cracks in the sidewalk. Wouldn’t want to break my dead mother’s back.

Love is sacrifice, giving away parts of yourself so those you care about are safe and happy.