Name: Coming Up for Air
ISBN: 9780593127087

Nicole B. Tyndall

"A coming-of-age story about a girl with creative aspirations and the star swimmer who charms his way into her life, centering on themes of addiction, loss, and the tumultuousness of first love--and how to find strength when everything falls apart"--

Coming Up for Air

Lulu Evensen

Before I drove over here, I sat in my bedroom and frantically scribbled three different versions of a letter. One pathetically details how much I love him; another is an apology, long and rambling; and the shortest one is furious, cursing him for his weakness- cruel and unfair

And maybe I am, a small, scared voice whispers from the depths of my mind. I shake my head, gaze unfocused on my feet.

Did he see it coming? Did he feel it, the moment he lost control? Was he afraid? But most of all: Is he going to be okay?

"Your boyfriend?" "Ex-boyfriend." My voice cracks on the word. "But yeah."

I look like a Francesca Woodman photograph: haunting and haunted.

Maybe some parts of it need to stay broken. He and I need to stay broken.

Reality is lonely and hollow. Feeling like a ghost of myself

Anytime I want to give up on remembering some elaborate formula, I picture myself in a beret, snapping shots of the hilly, Montmartre streets. It makes the decision simple: keep studying.I want to see what those places look like in real life.

"She's okay now, but eating dinner with my family- my whole family-it's not something I take for granted."

"I guess I lie...when the truth isn't good enough."

"I work harder, until the truth is good enough."

Braden has gotten into my head and messed up what would normally be an easy exchange with Ty

"Every song tells a story, and sometimes they can say...I don't know. Like, say something that's almost impossible, otherwise."

Maybe I want to be lost in this forever. I want more. My want scares me. I force myself to stop.

Instead, with no one but the moon as our witness, I let my heavy eyes close, and revel in the solid warmth of the boy next to me

I hardly recognize myself, and don't feel like I can defend this person who isn't me. I need you, even though I have been neglecting you. And a promise: I'm going to try harder.

I love you, Hadley...you have to forgive me. I need you.

I think it ended the minute he made his decision. My heart feels like those plates shattered beyond repair, broken into edges that would only cut me if I tried to put them back together

I haven't been this girl in so long. And just for tonight, I let myself hold on to her by tightening my grip on him.

There was a naked truth in that moment, something I had been trying not to see.

"I don't think i love you anymore, those pills changed you"

A very important story that shows that sometimes you have to let go of people to survive. 

"I don't think i love you anymore, those pills changed you"

A very important story that shows that sometimes you have to let go of people to survive. 

For fans of Nina LaCour and The Spectacular Now, a powerful coming-of-age story about a girl with creative aspirations and the boy who charms his way into her life, centering on themes of addiction, loss, and the tumultuousness of first love--and how to find strength when everything falls apart. Ever since her mom's cancer scare, Hadley hasn't been one for taking risks. And after seeing her sister go through one too many heartbreaks, she definitely has no interest in dating. Hadley just wants to keep her head down and enjoy the rest of high school with her friends, focusing on her photography and getting into the art school of her dreams. Then enters Braden, star of the swim team and precisely the kind of person Hadley avoids, all bravado and charm and impulsivity. From their first moment together, they are perfect sparring partners, equally matched. And it's intoxicating. Braden sees her, really sees her, and Hadley decides it might be time to break all her rules. Braden shows Hadley how to live again, and soon Hadley is happier than she'll ever admit out loud. But that's before her family is faced with devastating news, and Braden starts hiding a growing, dark secret. As it threatens to shatter everything they've built, Hadley must confront her own actions and determine if she has the strength to walk away.

Coming Up for Air

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