#gemma

I'm going to eviscerate you and leave your organs on a pike in the yard as a warning to those who wear large jewelry. ↗

— Libba Bray

#felicity-worthington #gemma-doyle #humor #libba-bray #beauty

You smiled then, and your whole face changed with it. It kind of lit up, like there were sunbeams coming from inside you. ↗

— Lucy Christopher

#smile #stolen #ty #change

When did this story morph? When did it change from a tale of two to a tragedy of three? ↗

— Ella Frank

#change

He said that we belonged together because he was born with a flower and I was born with a butterfly and that flowers and butterflies need each other for survival. ↗

— Gemma Malley

#butterflies #butterfly #death #flower #flowers

I love you Anna Covey,' he said, his voice barely audible. And slowly, clumsily, he leant forward, and his lips found hers, and Anna felt him kiss her awkwardly, she knew that she wasn't a Surplus any more. And nor was Peter. ↗

— Gemma Malley

#death #declaration #gemma #kiss #life

I know it. I know I shall make beastly mistakes, Father-" "The world does not forgive mistakes so quickly, my girl." He sounds bitter and sad. "If the world will not forgive me," I say softly, "I shall have to learn to forgive myself." He nods in understanding. "And how will you marry? Or do you intend to marry?" I think of Kartik, and tears threaten. "I shall meet someone one day, as Mother found you. ↗

— Libba Bray

#father #forgiveness #gemma-doyle #kartik #love

It isn't the bloody weather!" I've shocked them into silence. I should stop. Apologize for my outburst. Make amends. Blame the climate. But I cannot. Something in me has given way and it cannot be put back again. "Did you know that he had returned to the laudanum? That he couldn't give it up? That our good intentions were not nearly so powerful as his will to die?... No, Thomas. Is this the life you want for me? To be like you? To wear blinders and talk of nothing that matters and drink weak tea with other people who would do anything to hide the truth, especially from themselves? ↗

— Libba Bray

#life #life

I know you adore Father, but he isn't the white knight you imagine him to be. He never was. True, he's charming and loving in his way. But he's selfish. He's a limited man determined to bring about his own end-" "But-" Tom grabs both my hands in his and gives them a small squeeze. "Gemma, you can't save him. Why can't you accept that?" I see my reflection on the surface of the Thames. My face is a watery outline, all blurred edges with nothing settled. "Because if I let go of that" - I swallow hard, once, twice - "then I have to accept that I am alone." The ship's horn howls again as it slips out toward sea. Tom's reflection appears beside mine, just as uncertain. "We're every one of us alone in this world, Gemma." He doesn't say it bitterly. "But you have company, if you want. ↗

— Libba Bray

#gemma-doyle #imagination

I change the world, the world changes me. ↗

— Libba Bray

#gemma-doyle #inspirational #world #change

Do you ever feel that way?" "Lonely?" I search for the words. "Restless. As if you haven't really met yourself yet. As is you'd passed yourself once in the fog, and your heart leapt - 'Ah! There I Am! I've been missing that piece!' But it happens too fast, and then that part of you disappears into the fog again. And you spend the rest of your days looking for it." He nods, and I think he's appeasing me. I feel stupid of having said it. It's sentimental and true, and I've revealed a part of myself I shouldn't have. "Do you know what I think?" Kartik says at last. "What?" "Sometimes, I think you can glimpse it in another. ↗

— Libba Bray

#found #gemma-doyle #kartik #lonely #lost