The Rest of Us Just Live Here

by Patrick Ness

You see how lucky I am? Knowing that people love me? So lucky. So stupidly lucky.

“Are you singing?” Mel says to me, eyes wide. “No,” I say, too fast.

“Where’s your mother?” Cynthia sneers at my sister. “Why isn’t she here to protect her children?” Mel barely hesitates. She steps forward, snatches the pad out of Cynthia’s hands, and punches her right across the face.

“Not everyone has to be the Chosen One. Not everyone has to be the guy who saves the world. Most people just have to live their lives the best they can, doing the things that are great for them, having great friends, trying to make their lives better, loving people properly. All the while knowing that the world makes no sense but trying to find a way to be happy anyway.”

Kindness is the most important thing of all. Pity is an insult. Kindness is a miracle.”