Glass (Crank, #2)

by Ellen Hopkins

I don’t want to be without companionship. And the monster doesn’t count.

And despite all the people— bodies, faces—swarming around me like pissed yellow jackets, I have never felt so abandoned.

You’re not alone. I’m here, aren’t I? Coaxing, Oh, the places I can take you. Ride along with me. Cajoling, Come on. It’s easy. Just walk to the railing. One quick step over . . .

Everyone cares for me. They just don’t know how to love me.

I love you. And I don’t ever want to hurt you. Kristina wants to kiss him with every fiber of her being. But Bree wants him to pay, or at least sweat it a little.

Kristina, I hate to say this, but Hunter barely recognizes you. Do you think it’s fair to leave him with a stranger? [Stay in control. Temper in check.] “There’s only one way to change that, Mom.” [Choose words carefully.] “Or were you planning on keeping my baby for yourself?”

I’m sorry too. He lays his fingers into finger-shaped bruises. Perfect fits. I can’t believe I did this to you. Why do I hurt you when I love you so much? Am I crazy?

I Still Love Trey But I can’t trust him, and so the love feels different.

I still love Hunter, but know he’s better off away from me, and so the love is distant.

God, Kristina. Look at you. If you keep this up, you’re going to die. Are you trying to die?

Personally, I need to live faster, even if it means dying younger.

Hopefully, one day I’ll be worthy of his love. Anyone’s love. Trey’s. Our baby’s. Hunter’s. Mom’s.

Hopefully, it will be a girl, a beautiful perfect daughter, with hair like Trey’s, eyes like mine. Hopefully, I will love every hour of being her mother, even late-night feedings, diaper changings, the whole experience.