Standing in front of my bathroom mirror while music blares from my speakers, I wipe away the third crooked line I've drawn beneath my eye. My hands are shaking, damn it. Starting senior year of high school and seeing my boyfriend after a summer apart shouldn't be so nerve-racking, but I've gotten off to a disastrous start. First, my curling iron sent up smoke signals and died. Then the button on my favorite shirt popped off. Now, my eyeliner decides it has a mind of its own. If I had any choice in the matter, I'd stay in my comfy bed and eat warm chocolate chip cookies all day.
Simone Elkeles Perfect Chemistry
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The scene unfolds with a girl nervously preparing for her senior year, filled with the anticipation of reuniting with her boyfriend after summer. Standing at her bathroom mirror, she struggles to apply eyeliner as her hands tremble with anxiety. A series of unfortunate events compounds her stress: her curling iron malfunctions, her favorite shirt gets damaged, and her makeup seems to rebel against her. Frustrated, she wishes to retreat to her cozy bed with cookies rather than face the day's challenges.

This excerpt highlights the relatable pressures of adolescence and the overwhelming feelings that can arise during significant moments. The protagonist's chaotic morning serves as a metaphor for the unpredictability of high school life, where everything seems to go wrong just before a crucial moment. As she grapples with her emotions and the pressure to look perfect, the desire for comfort and simplicity shines through, resonating with anyone who has felt similarly anxious about facing a pivotal day.

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Perfect Chemistry
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Simone Elkeles
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Other quotes in Perfect Chemistry

Shelley, you think she'll take me back? Alex asks her, his hair dangerously close to her fingers. She doesn't pull his hair . . . just pats his head gently. I feel the tears running down my cheeks at full speed.Yeah! Shelley yells with a goofy, gummy grin. She looks happier and more content than she's been in a long time. Both of my favorite people are with me right here; what more could I ask for?
Simone Elkeles Perfect Chemistry
Shelley, you think she'll take me back? Alex asks her, his hair dangerously close to her fingers. She doesn't pull his hair . . . just pats his head gently. I feel the tears running down my cheeks at full speed.Yeah! Shelley yells with a goofy, gummy grin. She looks happier and more content than she's been in a long time. Both of my favorite people are with me right here; what more could I ask for?
Paco Fuentes," Mrs. Peterson says, pointing to the table behind Mary.The handsome young man with pale blue eyes like his mother's and smoky black hair like his father's takes his assigned seat.Mrs. Peterson regards her new student over the glasses perched on her nose. "Mr. Fuentes, don't think this class will be a piece of cake because your parents got lucky and developed a medication to halt the progression of Alzheimer's. Your father never did finish my class and he flunked one of my tests, although I have a feeling your mother was the one who should have failed. But that just means I'll expect extra from you.
Simone Elkeles Perfect Chemistry
Paco Fuentes," Mrs. Peterson says, pointing to the table behind Mary.The handsome young man with pale blue eyes like his mother's and smoky black hair like his father's takes his assigned seat.Mrs. Peterson regards her new student over the glasses perched on her nose. "Mr. Fuentes, don't think this class will be a piece of cake because your parents got lucky and developed a medication to halt the progression of Alzheimer's. Your father never did finish my class and he flunked one of my tests, although I have a feeling your mother was the one who should have failed. But that just means I'll expect extra from you.
How was the kiss with Alex?Nice, I say, thinking about how sensual it was. Actually, Isabel, it was more than nice. It was fucking incredible.Isabel starts laughing, and I laugh right along with her this time.
Simone Elkeles Perfect Chemistry
How was the kiss with Alex?Nice, I say, thinking about how sensual it was. Actually, Isabel, it was more than nice. It was fucking incredible.Isabel starts laughing, and I laugh right along with her this time.
I thought we were gonna take this relationship slow.""A back rub is harmless."My eyes roam over her kick-ass bikini-covered bod. "I'll have you know I've been intimate with girls wearin' a lot more.
Simone Elkeles Perfect Chemistry
I thought we were gonna take this relationship slow.""A back rub is harmless."My eyes roam over her kick-ass bikini-covered bod. "I'll have you know I've been intimate with girls wearin' a lot more.
Come here and lie on your stomach. I know how to give Swedish massages. It'll relax you.""You're not Swedish," I say."Yeah, well, neither are you. So if I do it wrong you'll never know the difference.
Simone Elkeles Perfect Chemistry
Come here and lie on your stomach. I know how to give Swedish massages. It'll relax you.""You're not Swedish," I say."Yeah, well, neither are you. So if I do it wrong you'll never know the difference.
Sometimes good men need to do things that aren't good. Right?"I ruffle his hair. Luis is way more innocent than I was at his age. "You know, I think you're gonna be the smartest Fuentes yet, little bro.
Simone Elkeles Perfect Chemistry
Sometimes good men need to do things that aren't good. Right?"I ruffle his hair. Luis is way more innocent than I was at his age. "You know, I think you're gonna be the smartest Fuentes yet, little bro.
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I found Esau's field guide at the bottom of my pack. Taking a candle into the bedroom, I read his book until my eyes grew heavy. From his vast notes, it seemed that almost every plant and tree in the jungle had a reason for existing. I caught myself wishing there was a page in his guide that had my picture on it with the reason for my existence written underneath in Esau's neat hand.
Maria V. Snyder Magic Study
I found Esau's field guide at the bottom of my pack. Taking a candle into the bedroom, I read his book until my eyes grew heavy. From his vast notes, it seemed that almost every plant and tree in the jungle had a reason for existing. I caught myself wishing there was a page in his guide that had my picture on it with the reason for my existence written underneath in Esau's neat hand.
{...} what I wish for Chizalum is the following: that she is full of opinions, and that her opinions stem from a well-informed, humane, and open mind. That she have health and happiness. That she have the life she wants to have.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Dear Ijeawele, or A...
{...} what I wish for Chizalum is the following: that she is full of opinions, and that her opinions stem from a well-informed, humane, and open mind. That she have health and happiness. That she have the life she wants to have.
«In memory of the countless men and women of all creeds, nations, and races who fell victim to the fascist and communist belief in the Inexorable Laws of Historical Destiny.»
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«In memory of the countless men and women of all creeds, nations, and races who fell victim to the fascist and communist belief in the Inexorable Laws of Historical Destiny.»
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