All the Little Lights

by Jamie McGuire

“The tree boy?

“I’m doing it!” she squealed. She giggled for the first time since the summer I’d met her, and it sounded like wind chimes and a symphony and triumph all at once. She was happy, and all I wanted to do was sit back and watch her enjoy the moment.

“Catherine, every time I’m close to you, I’m aware of every breath you take. When we’re not, everything reminds me of you. I know because nothing else matters.”

She glanced at me. “It’s nice to be weird with someone else.” I breathed out a laugh. “It kind of is.”

and if you wanna know what scares me, it’s that I probably don’t deserve you, but I know I will love you more than anyone else will. I’ll do anything to keep you safe and happy. I just have to hope that’s enough.” “I know

“You can’t get someone out of quicksand if you’re stuck in it, too,” I said.

all the little lights

Title! 😍

Nothing anyone can do can take that away from us. Except you. And you love me, I know you do. I just can’t figure out why you won’t let me in.”

“Isn’t it funny how lights seem so much more beautiful in the dark?” she asked.

“I’m so sorry you had to see that, Catherine.” “Why? It was beautiful.”

“Pain is beautiful?” she asked, straightening the present. “Pain . . . love. Can’t really have one without the other.”