Long Way Down

by Jason Reynolds

ANOTHER THING ABOUT THE RULES They weren’t meant to be broken. They were meant for the broken to follow.

I know you’re young, gotta get it out, but just remember, when you’re walking in the nighttime, make sure the nighttime ain’t walking into you.

People always love people more when they’re dead.

and now I guess I should love him more, like he’s my favorite, which is hard to do because he was my only brother, and already my favorite.

IS IT POSSIBLE for a hug to peel back skin of time, the toughened and raw bits, the irritated and irritating dry spots, the parts that bleed?

he took off running so fast his sneakers barely touched concrete.