"Just don't leave me behind. That's all. I know — it looks as if I enjoy what's going on with my life and everything, but listen, my heart's only half in it. You give my friends and me a bum rap, but I'd give all of this up in a flash if someone had an even remotely plausible alternative."

"Tyler, stop."

"I just get so sick of being jealous of everything, Andy—" There's no stopping the boy. "—And it scares me that I don't see a future. And I don't understand this reflex of mine to be such a smartass about everything. It really scares me. I may not look like I'm paying any attention to anything, Andy, but I am. But I can't allow myself to show it. And I don't know why."