Simone Elkeles Quotes & Sayings

Opening yourself up to making mistakes and being vulnerable is what makes it beautiful and special with the person you love. — Simone Elkeles

I'll always love you, no matter what happens, okay? — Simone Elkeles

I wish my life was a John Grisham novel. His heroes always seem to be one step away from death but come up with a brilliant plan. Unfortunately, real life can't be wrapped up with a nice little bow — Simone Elkeles

My car rounds the corner, riding the path to the body shop. When I spot Alex leaning on his motorcycle waiting for me in the parking lot, my pulse skips a beat.
Oh, boy. I'm in trouble. — Simone Elkeles

I'll explain it to you. To me it's more than a game." She touches her chest and says, "When you love something as much as I love football, you just feel it inside. Did you ever love doing something so bad that it consumed you?"
"A long time ago."
"That's what football is to me. It's my passion, my life ... my escape. When I play, I forget everything that sucks in my life. And when we win ... " She looks down like she's embarrassed to admit what she's about to reveal. "I know this is going to sound stupid, but when we win I think miracles can happen. — Simone Elkeles

Problem is, the bathroom pass can't help you escape life. It's still there when you come out. Problems and crap don't go away hiding in the can. — Simone Elkeles

I wonder if I should back off from our friendship sometimes, to make sure she's kept at arm's length. — Simone Elkeles

Who knew Lenny was an encyclopedia for useless information? — Simone Elkeles

Sometimes good men need to do things that aren't good. Right?"
I ruffle his hair. Luis is way more innocent than I was at his age. "You know, I think you're gonna be the smartest Fuentes yet, little bro. — Simone Elkeles

We need to look back sometimes and realize the past taught us to appreciate our future. — Simone Elkeles

I'm not starting any fights. I might finish one though. — Simone Elkeles

Please, amigo. We need you, Kimosabe, O Mighty Powerful One. We need you more than the earth rises in the west."
The sun rises in the east, dickhead."
Only if you're standing on the earth. If you're on the moon, the earth rises in the west. — Simone Elkeles

Our lie is like a cancer that's spread to every single area of our lives. — Simone Elkeles

If there's one thing I learned, it's that nobody is here forever. You have to live for the moment, each and every day ... the here, the now. — Simone Elkeles

Say something, Amy," Miranda insists. "Something positive. I'm sure it'll make you feel better."
"Okay, Miranda. I've got it." I motion the girls to lean in close to hear my words. "At least I'm not dead."
How's that for positivity?
I have to admit it does make me feel better. — Simone Elkeles

Being brave is not as easy as it looks. — Simone Elkeles

Senior year is supposed to be a blast-easy and fun. So far it's been anything but. — Simone Elkeles

Two dads have sent me letters that said my books changed their daughters' lives. I send them packages with T-shirts and posters because, come on ... that's the coolest. — Simone Elkeles

And right this second I want to live in ignorant bliss. — Simone Elkeles

Sometimes we have to prove to others we're strong even where we're not. — Simone Elkeles

I love you because you're the only person I want to make love to without any conditions and - and I love that you need me. — Simone Elkeles

Should I tell him I'm not afraid of being hurt? I'm afraid of not being in control. — Simone Elkeles

I'm ready for something private, private and real — Simone Elkeles

I shake my head. White people. "It's — Simone Elkeles

Did A tell you your eyes remind me of blown glass? I can see your soul through those eyes, Amy. They get darker when you're trying to be sexy and shine when you smile. And when you think you're in trouble you blink double the amount that you usually do. And when your sad the corners of your eyes turn down. I miss your eyes. And I don't want the sad ones to be my last memory of you. — Simone Elkeles

Man, she was kissin' you like it was the last kiss of her life. If she kisses like that, I wonder how she--"
"Shut up, Enrique."
"She's gonna ruin you, Alejo," Enrique continues, calling me by my Spanish nickname. "Look at you already, spendin' time in jail last night and cuttin' school to get your motorcycle back. Granted, she's got a buena torta, but is she worth it?"
"I gottta get back to work," I say, my mind whirling with Enrique's words. And as I work under a Blazer for the remainder of the evening, all I want to do is make out with my mamacita again and again.
Yes, she's definitely worth it. — Simone Elkeles

Trust me, he whispers against my lips. Maggie, you're my paradise. — Simone Elkeles

Now I understand all those chick flicks I made fun of. 'Cause now I'm the sappy dork willing to risk it all for the girl. Estoy enamorado ... I'm in love. — Simone Elkeles

I'm ready for that adrenaline rush...with you. — Simone Elkeles

Do I hear a challenge?" she whispers, "Oh, Carlos. You know I can't resist a challenge. — Simone Elkeles

What are you boys doing?" she asks, as if we're still little kids messing around.
"Arguin'," Carlos says matter-of-factly. — Simone Elkeles

There's no rule book or game plan when it comes to the grim realities of our lives. — Simone Elkeles

Three things Marco taught me today race through my mind: boys will lie to your face just to have sex with you, don't trust any boy who says I love you, and never date a boy who lives on the south side of Fairfield. — Simone Elkeles

Don't ever pity me. — Simone Elkeles

I write edgy, sexy teen romances, and that's what I'll continue to do. — Simone Elkeles

Where's Shelley?" I ask, scanning the room.
"Playing checkers, as usual," Georgia says, pointing to the corner. Shelley isn't facing me, but I recognize the back of her head and her wheelchair.
She's squealing, a hint that she won the game.
As I get closer to her, I catch a glimpse of who's playing against her. The dark hair should have been a clue that my life is about to be turned upside down, but it doesn't fully register. I freeze.
It can't be. My imagination must be going berserk.
But when he turns around and those familiar dark eyes pierce mine, reality zings up my spine like a lightning bolt.
Alex is here. Ten steps away from me. Oh, God, every feeling I've ever had for him comes rushing back like a tidal wave. I don't know what to do or say. I turn back to Georgia, wondering if she knew Alex was here. One look at her hopeful face tells me she did. — Simone Elkeles

I'm losing control."-Brittany
Mamacita, I've already lost it."-Alex — Simone Elkeles

I read that goldfish have a memory of five seconds. I envy them. My memory of Alex, my love for him, will last my lifetime. — Simone Elkeles

Oh, God. I'm in big trouble. Because I'm staring. I can't keep my eyes from ogling his chiseled triceps and biceps and every other eps ' he has. The butterflies in my stomach have just multiplied tenfold as my wandering gaze meets his. — Simone Elkeles

I guess we're all a bunch of mismatched couples - that actually fit — Simone Elkeles

You once told me that I make you believe in the impossible. You make me believe in love, which I'd given up on. Thank you for proving to me it's not just a fairy tale. — Simone Elkeles

Opinions are like assholes, everybody's got one and everyone thinks everyone else's stinks. — Simone Elkeles

Luis Fuentes reminded me that I'm still vulnerable. If I'm emotionally unavailable, then I don't have to worry about ever getting hurt. [ ... ] Nikki Cruz will no longer be vulnerable. — Simone Elkeles

Because I'm tryin' to push you away when all I want to do is hold you. I know you say you don't want a hero, but damn I'd like to be that guy who'll save you from spiders and whatever and whoever else hurts you. — Simone Elkeles

Football players are misunderstood. They aren't the dumb jocks people think they are. — Simone Elkeles

You're not the only one in this relationship who loves a
challenge," he says. "And just so you know for the future, I like my double-chocolate chip
cookies warm and soft in the middle ... and without magnets glued to them. — Simone Elkeles

Are you going to dance with me tonight?" I ask.
"Hell, yeah."
"Colin never wanted to dance with me."
"I'm not Colin, querida, and never will be."
"Good. I've got you, Alex. I realize it's all I need and I'm ready to share it with the world."
Inside the club, Alex immediately heads for the dance floor with me. I ignore the gawking stares from Fairfield students from my side of town as I pull Alex close to me and we move as one to the beat.
We move together as if we've been a couple forever, every movement in sync with each other. For the first time I'm not afraid of what people think of me and Alex together. Next year, in college, it won't matter who came from what side of town. — Simone Elkeles

Unfortunately, there are no guarentees in life. — Simone Elkeles

What happens when I break one of your fuckin' rules? — Simone Elkeles

With someone you like that much, the lows are as low as the highs are high. Does that make sense?'
It does. It also makes me sound bipolar.'
Love will do that to a person. — Simone Elkeles

Okay, seriously, I dont know if this is true or not, but I heard people who use profanity are trying to compensate for their lack of you know ... size -Tuck — Simone Elkeles

K,
the lady at the store said yellow means friendship and red means love. The rosary is the only thing I own that has value to me. It's yours. I'm yours
C. — Simone Elkeles

And what do you want right now?" Right now I itch to heal his wounds and forget my own.
He touches my cheek with the tips of his fingers.
My breath hitches. "Do you want to kiss me, Alex?" I whisper.
"Dios mio, I want to kiss you ... to taste your lips, your tongue." He gently traces my lips withthe tips of his fingers. "Do you want me to kiss you? Nobody else would know but the two of us. — Simone Elkeles

Shelley," I say. "You should've let him win. You know, to be polite." Shelley's response is a shake of her head. Applesauce drips on her chin. "That's the way it's going to be, huh?" I say, hoping the scene doesn't gross Alex out. Maybe I'm testing him, to see if he can handle a glimpse of my home life. If so, he's passing. "Wait until Alex leaves. I'll show you who the checkers champion is."
My sister smiles that sweet, crooked smile of hers. It's like a thousand words put into one expression. For a moment I forget Alex is still watching me. It's so weird having him inside my life and my house. He doesn't belong, yet he doesn't seem to mind being here. — Simone Elkeles

Do I make you nervous?"
His gaze travels from my eyes to my breasts and down to where my dress meets my thighs. "In that dress you do. — Simone Elkeles

Brittany and I don't date other people."
"Why not?"
"It's called being boyfriend and girlfriend. — Simone Elkeles

This is a team of gay dudes, isn't it?
What gave it away? The pink shirts, or half our team drooling over you? — Simone Elkeles

Alex kneels down to Shelley's level. The simple act of respect tears at something suspiciously like my heart. Colin always ignores my sister, treating her as if she's blind and deaf as well as physically and mentally disabled. — Simone Elkeles

Marry me, Kiara," he blurts out in front of everyone.
"Why?" she asks, challenging him.
"Because I love you," he says, walking up to her and bending down on one knee while he takes her hand in his, "and I want to go to sleep with you every night and wake up seein' your face every mornin', I want you to be the mother of my children, I want to fix cars with you and eat your crappy tofu tacos that you think are Mexican. I want to climb mountains with you and be challenged by you, I want to argue with you just so we can have crazy hot makeup sex. Marry me, because without you I'd be six feet under ... and because I love your family like they're my own ... and because you're my best friend and I want to grow old with you." He starts tearing up, and it's shocking because I've never seen him cry. "Marry me, Kiara Westford, because when I got shot the only thing I was thinkin' about was comin' back here and makin' you my wife. Say yes, chica. — Simone Elkeles

Alex!" Brittany yells my name from the front of the gallery.
I'm still smoking and trying to forget that she brought me here because I'm her dirty little secret. I don't want to be a fucking secret anymore.
My pseudo-girlfriend crosses the street. Her designer shoes click on the pavement, reminding me she's a class above. She eyes Mandy and me, the two blue collars, smoking together.
"Mandy here was about to show me her tattoos," I tell Brittany to piss her off.
"I'll bet she was. Were you going to show her yours, too?" She eyes me accusingly.
"I'm not into drama," Mandy says. She throws down her cigarette and smashes it with the tip of her gym shoe. "Good luck, you two. God knows you need it. — Simone Elkeles

Dios mio, I think my brother lost his balls somewhere between here and Mexico. Or maybe Brittany has them zipped inside that fancy purse (of hers). — Simone Elkeles

Brit: What's your major?
Alex: Chemistry. And yours?
Brit: Chemistry. Kiss me so we can see if we still have it. 'Cause you own my heart, my soul, and everything else in between. — Simone Elkeles

Don't be afraid to be unique. Love yourself before you love another. — Simone Elkeles

I want to hold you, Nikki. Will you let me? — Simone Elkeles

Does she realize she looks like a sunflower, ready to rain sunlight on all who look down upon her? — Simone Elkeles

When I spot Alex leaning on his motorcycle waiting for me in the parking lot, my pulse skips a beat.
Oh, boy. I'm in trouble.
Gone is his ever-present bandanna. Alex's thick black hair rests on his forehead, daring to be swept back. Black pants and a black silk shirt have replaced his jeans and T-shirt. He looks like a young Mexican daredevil. I can't help but smile as I park next to him.
"Querida, you look like you've got a secret."
I do, I think as I step out of my car. You. — Simone Elkeles

Elena opens the door and yanks me through the house, stopping only when we reach the backyard. She lets me go only to grab the microphone from the lead singer.
"Paco!" she announces loudly. "Yeah, I'm talkin' to you," Elena says, pointing to Paco talking to a bunch of girls. "Next time you want to take a dump, do it in someone else's house."
Paco's entourage of girls backs up and giggles, leaving him alone. — Simone Elkeles

You know what your problem is?" I ask him.
"Yes. I have a daughter who insists she knows everything."
"That's not your problem, Aba. That's your blessing. — Simone Elkeles

What would it take for you to go out with me? — Simone Elkeles

And my piece of advice is ... don't flirt with any of the female instructors. They all have access to weapons bigger than yours. — Simone Elkeles

I have trust issues."
"I know. I'm on a mission to cure you of that. — Simone Elkeles

You once said you loved me. Do you still?"
My sister is watching this exchange between us. She smiles warmly at me, giving me the strength to tell him the truth. "I never stopped loving you. Even when I tried desperately to forget you. I couldn't. — Simone Elkeles

Truth is, it's a relief to finally put my life in the hands of someone I trust. — Simone Elkeles

The threat of taking something away makes us appreciate it more. — Simone Elkeles

My dad called the cops and told them I stole his car."
I roll my eyes. "Your old man put you in this hellhole? On purpose?"
"He thought it would teach me a lesson."
"Yeah," I say. "The lesson is that your old man's an asshole." The dad should have taught his son how to dress better instead.
"My mom'll bail me out."
"You sure?"
White Guy straightens. "She's a lawyer, and my dad's done this before. A few times. I think to piss off my mom and get her attention. They're divorced."
I shake my head. White people. — Simone Elkeles

Tell me somethin' you do that would shock me."
She sits back on the couch. "Shock you?"
"Yeah. Shock me to the core."
She sits up on her knees and leans toward me. "I've thought about you, Carlos," she whispers in my ear.
"At night, in bed. I think about kissing you, our tongues sliding against each other's, while your hands are buried in my hair. When I think about feeling those ripples in
your naked chest I touch my - "
"Here's more popcorn!" Westford says, barging into the room with two big bowls filled to the
rim with freshly popped popcorn. "Kiara, what are you doing? — Simone Elkeles

Okay, I've told you everythin'. Now please take that jacket off."
"Not yet, muchacho. If you've slept with so many people, how do I know you didn't catch a disease? Tell me you got tested."
"At the clinic when I got the staples in my arm, they tested me. Trust me, I'm clean."
"I am, too. Just in case you were wondering." I remove my other sandal, glad he didn't make me feel stupid or give me crap for asking more than one question. "Your turn."
"Do you ever think about makin' love to me?" He slides off a sock before I even answer his question. — Simone Elkeles

Ome things aren't measured by their size, but by their importance. — Simone Elkeles

Believe me, I know people who have doting Grandmas. Jessica's Grandma Pearl spent four years knitting her a blanket. Four years! And she's got arthritis. I wonder what Grandma Pearl would think if she knew Jessica lost her virginity to Michael Greenberg under the blanket she spent four years knitting with her crooked fingers. — Simone Elkeles

You'd be surprised how far away half dead is from fully dead, — Simone Elkeles

You own a piece of me," he murmurs as he holds me afterward.
"Good," I tell him. "And just so you know ... I'm never giving it back. — Simone Elkeles

Didn't you learn anything from my mistakes?" he asks.
Shit, when Alex was in the Latino Blood back in Chicago I worshiped him. "You don't want to hear my answer to that. — Simone Elkeles

It's like a fuckin' parade of white folks, one whiter than the next. — Simone Elkeles

You know about fixing cars, you're athletic, and you know when to shut up."
"That last one isn't a skill."
"Honey, trust me. It's a skill. — Simone Elkeles

A text pops up on the screen. It's from Luis. I can't help but grin when I read his perfectly thought-out message.
Luis: Hey — Simone Elkeles

Julian, sometimes girls are like junk food. They look good, and they sure taste good ... but you know they're not healthy for you and cause cavities so it's better to just leave 'em alone. Got me? — Simone Elkeles

His high school girlfriend. I caught them in the act." "You caught them having sex at Homestyle Buffet?" Carlos chimes in, confused and maybe a little amused. — Simone Elkeles

Stop focusing on the bad stuff because life is too damn short. — Simone Elkeles

I've got to get Brittany alone if I'm gonna have any chance of saving face and saving my Honda. Does her freakout session mean she really doesn't hate me? I've never seen that girl do anything not scripted or 100 percent intentional. She's a robot. Or so I thought. She's always looked and acted like a princess on camera every time I've seen her. Who knew it'd be my bloody arm that would crack her.
I look over at Brittany. She's focused on my arm and Miss Koto's ministrations. I wish we were back in the library. I could swear back there she was thinking about getting it on with me.
I'm sporting la tengo dura right here in front of Miss Koto just thinking about it. Gracias a Dios the nurse walks over to the medicine cabinet. Where's a large chem book when you need one? — Simone Elkeles

and the bananas are overdone. — Simone Elkeles

Being afraid to take chances is scarier than actually doing things that challenge you. — Simone Elkeles

We kiss all the time." I clear my throat, then add, "We just ... do it in private."
"A smug expression crosses his face. "I don't buy it for a second, 'cause if you were my girlfriend and a stud like me was livin' in your house, I'd kiss you in front of the guy every chance I got as a reminder."
"A reminder of w-w-what?"
"That you were mine. — Simone Elkeles

I don't want to end up like my mom. That's my biggest fear in life. — Simone Elkeles

A garter. You're supposed to take it off and keep it as a memento. K-k-kinda like a trophy
for going far sexually with a girl. It's stupid, really. And kind of d-d-degrading if I think about
it too m-m-much."
"I know what it is," he says, amusement evident in his voice. "I just wanted to hear your
explanation. — Simone Elkeles

We're in the Chicago suburbs, ruling our 'hood and the streets that lead here. It's a street war, where other
suburban gangs fight us for territory. Three blocks away are mansions and million-dollar houses. Right here,
in the real world, the street war rages on. The people in the million-dollar houses don't even realize a battle is
about to begin less than a half mile from their backyards. — Simone Elkeles

I feel so selfish, because I want the best of both worlds. I want to keep the image I've worked so hard to create. — Simone Elkeles

Nice girl. Wears too much makeup."
"Most chicks hate her."
"Most chicks wish they looked like her. And they wish they had her money and boyfriend."
I stop and regard her in disgust. "Burro Face?"
"Oh, please, Alex. Colin Adams is cute, he's the captain of the football team and Fairfield's hero. You're like Danny Zuko in Grease. You smoke, you're in a gang, and you've dated the hottest bad girls around. Brittany is like Sandy ... a Sandy who'll never show up to school in a black leather jacket with a ciggie hangin' from her mouth. Give up the fantasy. — Simone Elkeles

We're actors in our lives, pretendin' to be who we want people to think we are. — Simone Elkeles

Tell me she doesn't have her hand in his back pocket. That is so lame."
"I don't care," I tell her, easing any worries she might have about me being upset. "If they want to date, all the more power to them."
She's only doing it because she wants everything you had. It's a competition thing with her. First taking your position on the squad, now putting her claws into Colin. Next thing you know she'll want to change her name to Brittany."
"Very funny."
"You say that now," she says, then moves in close and whispers, "it won't be so funny if she wants Alex next."
"Now that's not funny. — Simone Elkeles

I was definitely meant to be a young adult author, and I love it - I'm here to stay! — Simone Elkeles