Alyson Derrick

anything. You gotta cut it out with that self-pity shit. You think you’re this little victim that no one is ever going to like, but how is anyone supposed to get the chance if you won’t even speak above a whisper?”

I’m shocked and a little hurt, but maybe also slightly impressed by her unapologetic honesty. She’s not interested in sugarcoating things for me.

I am practically Mother Teresa, and not an emotionally unavailable asshole with an inability to get close to people. She gets the girl. We get back together. Everyone wins.

I miss that. Having someone I could be there for. Having someone who could be there for me.

Go with what you feel from them. Show the part of yourself you think they’ll relate to. You know?

There is something about Dustin showing some nerves that calms mine.

You were yourself with him. You found something you knew about him and used that to work
your way in. That’s all it is. I just want you to be more you, instead of a little ball of quiet anxiety in the corner of the party.”

she’s also the only person I’ve ever met and not been related to that I can be completely myself around, without buckling under the weight of my anxiety. I haven’t totally figured out why yet.

I don’t know why I’m surprised to see that she’s happy for me, but I am. And the weirdest part is that knowing that somehow makes me even happier.

things haven’t gone as planned very much, but they also feel better than they have in a long time… maybe better than they have ever.