can you stop doing that? You're getting on my nerves

Lots of things you do get on my nerves and I have to put up and shut up

I still can't understand why you won't let me stay", (I said trying to convince her one last time)

I'm not a little girl. I know how to take care of myself. Plus, I'll be in college next year, and I'll be living in my own in another country the. it's basically the same thing", ( I argued, trying to get her to see the light and knowing that everything I was saying was true.)

I'm not going to miss out on your last year in high school. I want to enjoy with my daughter before she goes away to study.

I told you a thousand times, Noah you're my child, I want you to be part of this new family. For god's sake! You really think I'm going to let you go that far away from me without a single adult?

You don't get it , mom. did you never stop to think that this is my last year of High should? That all my friends are here, my boyfriend,my job,my team? My whole life!" ( I should, trying to hold back tears, the situation was getting the best of me, that much was clear, I never, I mean never, cried in front of anyone. Crying was for weaklings, people who can't control their feelings. I was someone who'd cried so much in the course of my life I'd decided never to shed about tear. )

(Getting married on a ship ? My mother was out of her mind! And going and doing it without telling me a single word! I found out when she got back and she said it all blithely, like marrying a millionaire in the middle of the ocean was the most normal thing in the world. The whole situation was surreal, and now she wanted to move to a mansion in California,in the United States. It wasn't even my country! I had been born in Canada, even if my mom was from Texas and my dad from Colorado. I didn't want to leave. it was everything I knew )

Now you have to realize I want what's best for you

You know what I've been through, what we've been through. And I've finally found a good mad who loves and respects me i haven't felt this happy in a long time I need him, and I know you'll come to love him. and he can offer you a future we could never have dreamed of before. You can go to any college you like, Noah.

but i don't want to go to some fancy college, mom and I don't want a stranger paying for it

He's not a stranger, he's my husband and you better get used to the idea

I'm never going to get used to the idea

I get that you're going to miss Dan and all your friends, Noah, but look on the bright side ---you're going to have a brother!

you're going to love him, through. nick is a sweetheart

he's mature, responsible and he's probably dying to introduce you to all his pals. Every time I've been there and he's around, he's stayed in his room studying or reading a book you might even have the same tastes

Yeah, right. I'm sure he's crazy about Jane Austen. ( I rolled my eyes )

How old is he again? (I knew , of course; all my mother had talked about for months was him and will. It was ironic that for some reason Nick had never managed to find a hole in his schedule to introduce himself to me. Moving in with a new family before I'd even met all the members of it was just kind of summer up how crazy this all was. )

he's a little older than you, but you're more mature than most girls your age. you'll get along great.

We're here

( I looked at the talk palm trees and the streets between the monumental mansions. each house took up at least a block. Some were English or Victorian style; lots of others were modern with glass walls and huge yards. I started to get scared as we continued up the road and the houses got bigger and bigger. Ag last we reached a set of immense gates, ten feet high, and when my mother pulled a small device out of 5h4 globe box and pushed the button, they started to open. she put the car back in gear, and went down a hill surrounded by gardens and talk punes that smelled pleasantly of summer and sea)

the house isn't as high up as the others in the development, which means we have the best views of the beach

(my other turned off her mother after pulling around the fountain and parking in front of the steps that led to the main entrance. My first impression on getting out was that we'd come to the most luxurious hotel in all of California. But it wasn't a hotel, it was a house --- a home, supposedly, or at least that's what my mother wanted me to believe.)

( my mother's new husband wasn't dressed as he had been on the few occasions when I'd agreed to be in the same room with him. Instead of a shit or a name-brand vest, he was wearing sandals. His dark hair was tousled instead of combed back. I had to admit , I got what my mother saw in him)

( my mother ran over to him like a schoolgirl and hugged him. I took my time, walking around to the trunk to get my things. gloved hands appread from nowhere, and l leapt back.)

I will take your things, miss

I can do it on my own thanks

Let Martin help you Noah

(I heard from the back William leister say behind my back. Grudgingly, I released my suitcase)

I am so happy to see you

I can't say the same