I love you, I'll never stop.

She loved her mother and depended on her mother, and yet every single word her mother said annoyed her.

Their friendship was only one aspect of their lives but it seemed to give meaning to all the others.

They were absolutely lovely, and in their presence, so was she.

Not even you can reach me here, Carmen thought.

Riley was quiet for a minute. She gathered her blanket all around her. "Paul always loved you, Alice. He knows I know that. I know he loves me, too. But it's different."

Alice opened her mouth, but nothing came out at first. "He loved me once. But I think that part is over," she said slowly.

"No, it's not. It hasn't even begun." Riley took Alice's bare foot in her hand and squeezed it. "I told him, though, that he better be good to you. When you came along, I said I'd share you, but I told him to remember that you're my sister. I loved you first."