Here's to Us (What If It's Us, #2)

by Becky Albertalli

This is every relationship. You start with nothing and maybe end with everything.

Just because someone says they love you doesn’t mean they’ll never say it to someone else.

But then again, waking up alone in my bed the next morning felt kind of… right. And the next day felt even more right. I walked around campus that whole week feeling like I’d just stepped off a too-fast treadmill. Discombobulated and dizzy, but also kind of blissfully untethered.

Happiness is tricky when it comes to the person who used to make you happy.

Sometimes boxes are carrying goodbyes. And sometimes they’re carrying fresh starts.

“It’s your life to live, Alejo,” Mario says, resting his hands on my shoulders. “Just make sure you’re living it for yourself and not anyone else.”

“You have two wonderful young men who would be lucky to be with you and there’s more in the world who would be privileged to have a shot with you. It’s up to you right now to figure out what risk will make your heart happiest. You shouldn’t rush into deciding.”

Not every story has a happy ending. Sometimes you try and try, but it doesn’t come together. You end up wasting so much time by trying to force something that will never work, instead of moving on to the next best thing. It’s a really tough lesson, especially when there’s years of comfort and happiness involved. It’s even tougher when big dreams are involved. But saying goodbye can be really freeing and open new doors for you.