Without Merit

by Colleen Hoover

I’d pick up random trophies from garage sales or thrift shops any time something shitty happened.

it suddenly feels like I’ve swallowed his heart because I have all these extra beats in my chest.

We keep our secrets buried deeper than the grave

“Don’t make your presence known. Make your absence felt.”

I was born second, which just makes me a faded copy of the original.

my spontaneity and refusal to weigh the consequences of my decisions are my two favorite things about me.

A person can’t help their attraction to another person, but a person can help their actions toward another person.

“Not every mistake deserves a consequence. Sometimes the only thing it deserves is forgiveness.”

I laugh because I think I finally drank enough to make all my feelings go away. Or maybe it was the letter I just wrote. Either way, I think I like tequila. I feel freaking great. I like it so much; I drink the rest of it before I head to my father’s office to make copies.

I open the refrigerator and the only thing that might help me numb what’s happening in my chest right now are three beers. I grab all of the cans and take them to my bedroom. I

they weren’t going to be rude to me. What they were was indifferent. And I think their indifference bothered me more than if they would have hated me.

If I dropped out of life, just like I dropped out of school, everyone’s lives would go on.

squatting down in front of me so that we’re eye to eye.

I’m not used to getting gifts.

NOT EVERY MISTAKE DESERVES A CONSEQUENCE. SOMETIMES THE ONLY THING IT DESERVES IS FORGIVENESS.

“It annoys me when people try to convince other people that their anger or stress isn’t warranted if someone else in the world is worse off than them. It’s bullshit. Your emotions and reactions are valid, Merit. Don’t let anyone tell you any different. You’re the only one who feels them.”