Stephanie Perkins Quotes & Sayings

Because I don't want to be alone right now." His voice echoes through the night.
I turn around to face him one last time. "You weren't alone, asshole. — Stephanie Perkins

Artists are inspired by blank canvases. — Stephanie Perkins

I know. And I couldn't wait any longer, I have to tell you - "
The panic rises, and I grip the French band tighter. "Cricket, please -"
But his words pour forth in a torrent. "I can't stop thinking about you, and I'm not the guy I used to be, I've changed -"
"Cricket -" I look back up, feeling faint.
His blue eyes are bright. Sincere. Desperate. "Go out with me tonight. Tomorrow night, every ni -" The words cut off in his throat as he sees something behind me.
Cigarettes and spearmint. I want to die.
"This is Max. My boyfriend. Max, this is Cricket Bell. — Stephanie Perkins

The lines are careful. They reveal he pays attention. People don't think he does, because he daydreams and skips class and neglects his homework, but when I see his drawings, I know they're wrong. — Stephanie Perkins

She pulled the pot of apple balm from her pocket. [ ... ] Eli snatched it from her palm and hurled it into the darkness, into the lake. 'Hey!' Gracie protested. 'Why would you do that?' He took a deep breath. His shoulders lifted, fell. 'Because I've spent nine months thinking of apples.'
"Heard, Scales, Tongue, Tail" by Leigh Bardugo — Stephanie Perkins

You aren't your name. Your decisions are your own. — Stephanie Perkins

Anna: You really think he likes me?
Rashmi: Anna. He teases you all the time. It's classic boy-pulling-girl's-pigtail syndrome. And whenever anyone else even remotely does it, he always takes your side and tells them to shove it. — Stephanie Perkins

There's only one thing I don't love about him. Her. — Stephanie Perkins

whyareyougivingawaythecookies?! — Stephanie Perkins

I'm empty. I'm drained. And I can't move. Not that I'd want to. Because that's the thing about depression. When I feel it deeply, I don't want to let it go. It becomes a comfort. — Stephanie Perkins

Instead, I argue and roll my eyes and act indifferent. And when I touch his arm, I shove it. Because that's what friends do. — Stephanie Perkins

I mean I didn't SLEEP sleep with him. Obviously. But I slept with him. — Stephanie Perkins

Autumn is coming. For as long as I can remember, I've talked to the moon. Asked her for her guidance. There's something deeply spiritual about her waxing and waning. She wears a new dress every evening, yet she's always herself.
And she's always there. — Stephanie Perkins

Do you like it? she asks. Universal bitch speak for I think it's hideous. — Stephanie Perkins

I laugh, and it sounds like I've been sucking helium. — Stephanie Perkins

I don't know what I believe. I guess that makes me a Christmas Tree Agnostic. — Stephanie Perkins

The first thing I notice is his hair - it's the first thing I notice about anyone. It's dark brown and messy and somehow both long and short at the same time. I think of the Beatles, since I've just seen them in Meredith's room. It's artist's hair. Musician hair. I-pretend-I-don't-care-but-I-really-do hair. — Stephanie Perkins

Because eventually, no matter what the circumstances, he would see the real me. Josh is a beautiful, messy, passionate work of art, and I'm ... a blank canvas. There's nothing here to love. — Stephanie Perkins

His name explodes inside of me like cannon fire. — Stephanie Perkins

But, for me, yes. I have to be with Anna. But this is something you have to figure out on your own. — Stephanie Perkins

I wish he would look at me the way he looks at his subjects. Because then he'd see there's more to me than shy, just like I see there's more to him than slacker — Stephanie Perkins

Some kinds of misery make you hate the world, but some kinds make you hate yourself, — Stephanie Perkins

You know," I tease, "you still haven't told me why you're here. You were ... passing by? Wanted
to brag about getting a week off from school?"
"Oh. Uh, right." Josh sort of laughs and glances out my window. "I was just wondering if you
wanted to go out."
Holy.
Shit.
"I'm on my way to Album," he continues, referring to a nearby comics shop. "Since we were
talking about that new Sfar earlier, I thought if you weren't busy, you might want to come along."
... Oh.
My heart beats like a cracked-out drummer. Josh, don't do that to a lady. I'm still clutching the
book about the shipwreck, so I set it down to wipe my sweaty palms. "Sure". — Stephanie Perkins

You'll be so busy with Bridge and what's-his-name that you'll forget all about your English mate, St. Clair."
"Ha! So you are English!" I poke him in the stomach.
He grabs my hand and we wrestle, laughing. "I claim ... no ... nationality. — Stephanie Perkins

Sorry to be your second choice."
"Don't be stupid. Third choice. Mum's asleep, remember?" He laughs again. — Stephanie Perkins

Josh grins. "Just give me your hand."
"W-what?"
"Your hand," he repeats. "Give it to me."
I extend my shaking right hand. And-in a moment that is a hundred dreams come true-Joshua Wasserstein laces his fingers through mine. A staggering shock of energy shoots straight into my veins. Straight into my heart.
"There," he says. "I've been waiting a long time to do that."
Not nearly as long as I've been waiting. — Stephanie Perkins

I must be a masochist to keep putting myself in these situations. I need help. I
need to see a shrink or be locked in a padded cell or straitjacketed or something. — Stephanie Perkins

Perfect is overrated. Perfect is boring."
I smile. "You don't think I'm perfect?"
"No. You're delightfully screwy, and I wouldn't have you any other way. — Stephanie Perkins

When two people are in love, it's supposed to work. It has to work. No matter how difficult the circumstances are. — Stephanie Perkins

He punished the naughty and rewarded the nice. Just like someone else who wore a lot of red. Scramble the letters in S-A-N-T-A and you get S-A-T-A-N. — Stephanie Perkins

I stay in bed for as long as possible, but eventually my bladder wins. When I come back from the bathroom, he's looking out my window. He turns around and laughs. "Your hair. It's sticking up in all different directions." St. Clair pronounces it die-rections and illustrates his point by poking his fingers up around his head like antlers.
"You're one to speak."
"Ah,but it looks purposeful on me. Took me ages to realize the best way to get that mussed look was to ignore it completely."
"So you're saying it looks like crap on me?" I glance in the mirror,and I'm alarmed to discover I do resemble a horned beast.
"No.I like it. — Stephanie Perkins

The unexpected explosion of color and noise and beauty in her world has left her awed. — Stephanie Perkins

I thought I did." Josh stares out over the city. "And then I knew I didn't, and she knew she didn't, but we stayed together, because ... I don't know why. Maybe because we thought we should be in love. At least I did. I wanted to be in love." He looks back at me. "Have you ever been in love? — Stephanie Perkins

Sometimes I think there are only so many opportunities ... to get together with someone. And we've both screwed up so many times" - my voice grows quiet - "that we've missed our chance. — Stephanie Perkins

And I realize ... it's okay. It's okay if St. Clair and I never become more than friends. His friendship alone has strengthened me in a way that no one
else's ever has. He swept me from my room and showed me independence. In other words, he was exactly what I needed. I won't forget it. And I certainly
don't want to lose it. — Stephanie Perkins

To her amazement,Ellie breaks into an ear-to-ear smile.Oddly enough, it's this moment I realize that despite her husky voice and Parisian attire,she's sort of...plain. But friendly-looking.
That still doesn't mean I like her. — Stephanie Perkins

You said on my birthday that you were afraid of being alone, but I've been here this whole time. This whole time. — Stephanie Perkins

In Paris, it's common to acknowledge someone attractive. The French don't avert their gaze like other cultures do. Haven't you noticed? — Stephanie Perkins

Suddenly I register that St. Clair is shorter than Josh. Much shorter. It's odd I didn't notice earlier, but he doesn't carry himself like a short guy. Most are shy or defensive, or some messed-up combination of the two, but St. Clair is confident and friendly and - — Stephanie Perkins

I am trying really hard not to use the word 'fabulous' right now. — Stephanie Perkins

You're doing the girl thing. Saying you're happy when you're not. — Stephanie Perkins

What are you gonna do with a giant crossword poster? 'Oh, I'm sorry, Anna. I can't go to the movies tonight. I'm working on two thousand across, Norwegian Birdcall.'"

"At least I'm not buying a Large Plastic Rock for hiding 'unsightly utility posts.' You realize you have no lawn?"

"I could hide other stuff. Like...failed French tests. Or illegal moonshining equipment." He couples over with that wonderful boyish laugher, and I grin. "But what will you do with a motorized swimming-pool snack float?"

"Use it in the bathtub. — Stephanie Perkins

I've never ditched. I don't understand how he can just shrug everything off. — Stephanie Perkins

So neither is "the woman". They're both gay men. Duh. — Stephanie Perkins

You can't avoid your problems forever. No one can. — Stephanie Perkins

I've spent many dark nights trying to forget about Cricket. It doesn't feel fair that he could have forgotten about me. — Stephanie Perkins

Because that's the thing about depression. When I feel it deeply, I don't want to let it go. It becomes a comfort. I want to cloak myself under its heavy weight and breathe it into my lungs. I want to nurture it, grow it, cultivate it. It's mine. I want to check out with it, drift asleep wrapped in its arms and not wake up for a long, long time. — Stephanie Perkins

Cricket Bell." I smiled into my phone. "How did you get so wise? — Stephanie Perkins

Thank you for helping my sister," he says.
I lean forward, mimicking his position. "I'm happy to."
Calliope leans out her window. "STOP FLIRTING AND GET BACK TO WORK. — Stephanie Perkins

He was the god of tide-lap and wingbeat, talon and pearl. She was the goddess of ... herself. And he could not look away from her. — Stephanie Perkins

Pinkie means excited or happy, thumb means thinking or worried. I'm surprised I know
the meaning of these gestures. How closely have I been paying attention to him? — Stephanie Perkins

Cricket walks several steps behind me. It's a careful distance. I wonder if he's looking at my butt.
WHY DID I JUST THINK THAT? Now my butt feels COLOSSAL. Maybe he's looking at my legs. Is that better? Or worse? Do I want him looking at me? I hold on to the bottom of my dress as I climb into the backseat and crawl to the other side. I'm sure he's looking at my butt. He has to be. It's huge, and it's right there, and it's huge.
No. I'm acting crazy.
I glance over, and he smiles at me as he buckles his seat belt.
My cheeks grow warm.
WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME? — Stephanie Perkins

You must think I'm a complete idiot right? That I'm just some doormat who'll wait for you on the sidelines forever? That you can keep running back to her every time things get difficult and I'll just be okay with it?! — Stephanie Perkins

I'm walking you home. It's late. And it's pouring — Stephanie Perkins

Outside, there may be reindeer that fly across the moon. Outside, there may be questions with the wrong answers and lies that are better to tell. Outside, it may be cold. But I am here. I am here, and he is here, and everything I need to know is that I will hold him and he will hold me until I am warm again, until I know I belong. — Stephanie Perkins

Happy Thanksgiving," he says, handing me my ticket. "Let's see some dead people. — Stephanie Perkins

But Sunday morning, things change. When we wake up, St. Clair stretches and accidentally smacks my boobs. Which not only hurts but also mortifies us both equally. — Stephanie Perkins

If I looked at this dress as one massive thing, it would be too overwhelming. No one could create such a gown. But by breaking it down into tiny, individual steps, it becomes something I can achieve. — Stephanie Perkins

I catch a break as a cloud passes over the sun. — Stephanie Perkins

Nice strawberries.
Shut up.
No, I mean it. Cute. — Stephanie Perkins

To be good at anything you have to practice. — Stephanie Perkins

But ... she didn't know him, did she? Marigold was suddenly struck by how badly she wanted to know him. — Stephanie Perkins

Do adults realize how lucky they are? Or do they forget that these small moments are actually small miracles? I don't want to ever forget. — Stephanie Perkins

Meretricious. Showily attractive but cheap or insincere. — Stephanie Perkins

Lola: No, I don't love Max anymore. But I don't want to give you this broken, empty me. I want you to have me when I'm full, when I can give something back to you. I don't have much to give right now.

Cricket: But you'll want me someday? That feeling you once had for me ... that hasn't left either?

Lola: It never left. — Stephanie Perkins

Being with Anna is easy. She's the one."
The one. It stops my heart. I thought Max was the one, but ... there's that other one.
The first one.
"Do you believe in that?" I ask quietly. "In one person for everyone?"
Something changes in St Clair's eyes. Maybe sadness. "I can't speak for anyone but myself," he says. "But, for me, yes. I have to be with Anna. But this is something you have to figure out on your own. I can't answer that for you, no one can."
"Oh."
"Lola." He rolls his chair over to my side. "I know things are shite right now. And in the name of friendship and full disclosure, I went through something similar last year. When I met Anna, I was with someone else. And it took a long time before I found the courage to do the hard thing. But you have to do the hard thing."
I swallow. "And what's the hard thing?"
"You have to be honest with yourself. — Stephanie Perkins

St. Clair waggles his eyebrows at Josh, but the moment he sees that I've caught him, his expression changes to a flirtatious grin. "Aw, mate," he says to Josh. "Admit it. You couldn't resist me."
Josh relaxes into a smile. "You're like a gorgeous little bonbon."
"Delicious in every way," St Clair says.
Anna rolls her eyes. "Wait until you try his creamy centre. — Stephanie Perkins

You've built up this idea about me, this ideal, but I'm not that person. I'm not perfect. I am far from perfect. I'm not worth such a beautiful story. — Stephanie Perkins

Oh God." I blink at the mirror. "It looks like I've been vomited on by an inkwell. — Stephanie Perkins

Saw two fallen branches in the shape of a heart. Thought of you. — Stephanie Perkins

I am hard on myself. But isn't it better to be honest about these things before someone else can use them against you? Before someone else can break your heart? Isn't it better to break it yourself? — Stephanie Perkins

That being singular is the exact thing that makes something
or someone
amazing. — Stephanie Perkins

My voice grows even smaller. 'Because I thought no one could love me.'
'And why did you think that?'
'Because I didn't think I was worth loving. — Stephanie Perkins

Is it possible for home to be a person and not a place? — Stephanie Perkins

I collapse in bed and fall asleep with me other hand clasped around the blue rubber band. And I dream about blue eyes and blue nails and first-kiss lips dusted with blue sugar crystals. — Stephanie Perkins

If I weren't standing next to your boyfriend, I'd be tempted to ask you out myself."
She blushes, and St. Clair bounds inside the box office and wrestles her into a hug. "Miiiiiiiiine!" he says.
"Cut it out." Anna pushes him off, laughing. "You'll get fired. And then I'll have to support your sorry arse for the rest of our lives. — Stephanie Perkins

When it's right, it's simple. — Stephanie Perkins

But we stayed together, because I don't know why. Maybe because we though we should be in love. At least I did. I wanted to be in love. — Stephanie Perkins

I'm sorry," he says.
"What? Why?"
"You're fixing everything I set down." He nods at my hands, which are readjusting the elephant. "It wasn't polite of me to come in and start touching your things."
"Oh, it's okay," I say quickly, letting go of the figurine. "You can touch anything of mine you want."
He freezes. A funny look runs across his face before I realize what I've said. I didn't mean it like that.
Not that that would be so bad. — Stephanie Perkins

And I can no longer remember my name or my country, or even my place in the universe. — Stephanie Perkins

You say that I'm afraid of being alone, and it's true. I am. And I'm not proud of it. But you need to take a good look at yourself, Anna, because I am NOT the only one in this room who suffers this problem. — Stephanie Perkins

Why did you want me to dress warmly?" she asks. "Are you taking me to a Siberian prison?"
"Nope."
"Abandoned research station in Antarctica?"
"Nope."
"You're taking me to practice for our two-person skeleton race at the Olympics."
"Yes. — Stephanie Perkins

So what do I wish for? Something I'm not sure I want? Someone I'm not sure I need? Or someone I know I can't have? — Stephanie Perkins

And it didn't matter how many songs or poems had already been written about them, because whenever he thought about the girl, the stars shone brighter. As if she were the one keeping them illuminated. — Stephanie Perkins

It's strange. Home. How I could wish for it so long, only to come back and find it gone. — Stephanie Perkins

Will you please tell me you love me? I'm dying here. — Stephanie Perkins

Put this on your list of things to know: the combination of tinsel, baby angel wings, and manger hay burns like weed at a Miley Cyrus concert. — Stephanie Perkins

I said you were beautiful. I slept in your bed! — Stephanie Perkins

Madame Guillotine gets mad at me. Not because I told them to shove it, but because I didn't say it in French. What is wrong with this school? — Stephanie Perkins

How did you know? That she wasn't the one for him?" Now he's staring at his hands, slowing rubbing them together. "They just didn't have that ... natural magic. You know? It never seemed easy."
My voice grows tiny. "Do you think things have to be easy? For it to work?"
Cricket's head shoots up, his eyes bulging as they grasp my meaning. "NO. I mean, yes, but ... sometimes there are ... extenuating circumstances. That prevent it from being easy. For a while. But then people overcome those ... circumstances ... and ... "
"So you believe in second chances?" I bite my lip.
"Second, third, fourth. Whatever it takes. However long it takes. If the person is right," he adds.
If the person is ... Lola?"
This time, he holds my gaze. "Only if the other person is Cricket."
Chapter 27
Pg 273 — Stephanie Perkins

Because I was right. For the two of us, home isn't a place. It's a person — Stephanie Perkins

The distance between us grows with each passing minute. Will he take my arm again, or will I have to take his? — Stephanie Perkins

Wow. See? You can't say that's not impressive." I recognize the names, even if I don't know what they all did.
"I didn't." He reaches for his wallet and pays our admission charge. I try to get it - since it was my idea in the first place - but he insists. "Happy Thanksgiving," he says, handing me my ticket. "Let's see some dead people." We're greeted by an unimaginable number of domes and columns and arches. Everything is huge and round. — Stephanie Perkins

Is it possible for a home to be a person and not a place? Brigette used to be home to me. Maybe St. Clair is my new home. — Stephanie Perkins

Boys turns girls into such idiots. — Stephanie Perkins

You only have one chance to make a first impression. — Stephanie Perkins

Because I hate that word. Like being gay is something to be ashamed of. Like because Mer likes sports, it automatically makes her a lesbian. That insult doesn't even make sense. — Stephanie Perkins

Even when he was gone, some fragment of his spirit lingered behind. — Stephanie Perkins

Summoning those memories was like touching a burning pot. She could do it only briefly before she had to pull away. — Stephanie Perkins

How does one proceed in a situation like this? If only the discovery of mutual admiration could lead promptly into making out. If only I could say, 'Listen. I like you, and you like me, so let's go find a secluded park and touch each other. — Stephanie Perkins