Ally Brooke Quotes

Time, which is so often an enemy in life, can also become our ally if we see how a pale moment can lead to a glowing moment, and then turn to a moment of perfect transparency, before dropping again to a moment of everyday simplicity.

Sometimes substituting race for gender also is an interesting exercise. Say a country, a close Western ally and trading partner, had a population half white, half black. The whites had complete control of the blacks. They could beat them if they disobeyed. They deprived them of the right to leave the house without permission; to walk unmolested without wearing the official segregating dress; to hold any decent job in the government, or to work at all without the permission of the white in control of them. Would there have been uproar in our countries by now? Would we have imposed trade sanctions and subjected this country to international opprobrium? You bet. Yet countries such as Saudi Arabia, which deprive half their population of these most basic rights, have been subjected to none of these things. It

When the expert is using her practical knowledge, she isn’t thinking more; she is thinking less. She has built up a repertoire of skills through habit and has thereby extended the number of tasks she can perform without conscious awareness. This sort of knowledge is built up through experience, and it is passed along through shared experience. It is passed along by a mentor who lets you come alongside and participate in a thousand situations. This kind of pedagogy is personal, friendly, shared, conversational—more caught than taught. A textbook can teach you the principles of biology, but a mentor shows you how to think like a biologist. This kind of habitual practice rewires who you are inside. “The great thing in all education,” William James wrote, “is to make our nervous system our ally instead of our enemy.

This is more noble, my son, to honor equality, which ever links friends with friends, and states with states, and allies with allies: for equality is sanctioned by law among men. But the lesser share is ever at enmity with the greater, and straight begins the day of hatred. For equality arranged also among mortals measures, and the divisions of weights, and defined numbers. And the dark eye of night, and the light of the sun, equally walk their annual round, and neither of them being overcome hath envy of the other. Thus the sun and the night are subservient to men, but wilt not thou brook having an equal share of government, and give his share to him? Then where is justice? Why dost thou honor so unboundedly that prosperous injustice, royalty, and think so highly of her? Is the being conspicuous honorable? At least, it is empty honor. Or dost thou desire to labor much, possessing much in thy house? but what is superfluity? It possesses but a name; since a sufficiency indeed to the temperate is abundance

By ARTHUR C. BROOKS ABD AL-RAHMAN III was an emir and caliph of Córdoba in 10th-century Spain. He was an absolute ruler who lived in complete luxury. Here’s how he assessed his life: “I have now reigned above 50 years in victory or peace; beloved by my subjects, dreaded by my enemies, and respected by my allies. Riches and honors, power and pleasure, have waited on my call, nor does any earthly blessing appear to have been wanting to my felicity.” Fame, riches and pleasure beyond imagination. Sound great? He went on to write: “I have diligently numbered the days of pure and genuine happiness which have fallen to my lot: They amount to 14.” Abd al-Rahman’s problem wasn’t happiness, as he believed — it was unhappiness. If that sounds like a distinction without a difference, you probably have the same problem as the great

Brooke, we’ve never only been Allie’s parents. Whether we realized it or not, we were always together.

In the classic comedy movie The Producers by Mel Brooks, there is a scene where dozens of glitter-clad Nazis sing a joyous song called “Springtime for Hitler.” At the end of the song, the opening night audience, adorned in black tie and gala dresses, are stunned into a deafening silence with mouths literally stuck open. That was the effect of Trump’s speech. His followers loved it. When their senses came back to them, it was the consensus of the Washington punditocracy that this was the darkest inaugural speech given in American history. It would simply be referred to as the “American carnage” speech. Republican Michael Green told Foreign Policy magazine: “Where friends and allies around the world look to new presidents’ inaugural addresses in hopes of seeing Aragorn, they heard from Trump only Gollum.”9 Former president George W. Bush was overheard to mutter, “That was some weird shit.

Why wait passively for the next terrorist attack--or a nuclear missile launched by a rogue state, or a cyberattack emanating from China or from a group of disaffected Estonian teens-- when we could be eliminating the root causes of conflict by fostering economic development and good governance, building relationships, creating networks of agents and allies, collecting data, promoting "new narratives," or striking potential future enemies before they can develop the ability to harm us?

Growing up, I never knew what it was like to be loved, and the feeling felt so foreign to me. Yet somehow, I knew that’s exactly what it was with you. So, thank you for showing me that I’m not unlovable after all because it turns out, the greatest human being on this earth has loved me with so much grace and patience. God knows I don’t always make it easy.

Just another reason why I fucking love this girl. Because when it comes to me, she’ll go to war, just to stand by my side.

It used to be us. Me and you, together.” “It still is us. I’m right here. I have been right. Fucking. Here.” Stepping up to her, I glare down. “I am not the fucking one who chose to leave in the first place, remember that?” “How could I forget?” she hisses. “You remind me every. Single. Day.” “Guess I haven’t gotten over it.” I shrug lazily. Being the resentful dick that I am. “Good.” Her venomous eyes narrow. “I suppose you never will either.” “How the fuck can I when you can’t tell the fucking truth to save your life, Ally?

How can she trust my words? My words are completely invalidated because I did leave and she did get hurt. All for what? A fucking football camp? None of that matters. Not when it comes to her. She should have mattered more than the game did.

To my Storm. I’m sorry that you’ve returned home, only to find me no longer here. I’m so sorry that not only am I gone, but I also didn’t get a chance to even tell you good-bye. Please know that I did not leave because I wanted to. I hope you know that I’d never leave you if it was my choice. Today was a very bad day, and I only wish I could be in your arms right now. Only then would I know I was safe. All my time on this earth, you have been my only family and the only person who has ever loved me. We have had each other’s backs since the day we met, and with you around, I always know I am protected. Protected from my fear of being alone, protected from the nightmares of the past, and protected from the monsters that roam this earth.

I’ve also realized that the only home I’ve ever known is you, Cole. I’ve finally figured out that a home doesn’t always mean walls, a door, and a place to sleep at night. I know for me, it isn’t. To me, it is your familiar arms, your steady heartbeat against mine, your calming touch, and most importantly, your ability to love me.

You were the best days of my life. And my fondest memories are the ones I have of you and me.

One day, I hope to see you and explain it all. And to tell you what happened on this horrible day, a day where they are forcing me to pack my things and leave you. But for now, that isn’t a burden that I want you to carry. You don’t deserve to cart around such a heavy load after all you’ve been through on your own.

Promise me something, Cole. Promise me you’ll always stay optimistic. Promise me you’ll continue to see the good in the world, even when you have every reason not to. Promise me you’ll think of me often, but don’t let the memories of us dictate your future.

Because, Cole, your future is so damn bright. So much brighter than this shithole town has so far granted you. Promise me you’ll chase your dreams but never let them make your life any less than wonderful. If you find yourself too overwhelmed with the pressure of the game or your needs are not being fulfilled, please take a step back. Just find happiness, and the rest will follow.

hope one day to see you. I hope one day to feel your lips on mine and your arms wrapped around my body. I hope one day to laugh so hard that I almost pee my pants again from one of your stupid-ass jokes. I hope to watch you play football from the stands, wearing your name and jersey number on my back and screaming way too loud. And I hope one day to sing for you again. I hope for all of those things so damn much.

But if that doesn’t happen, if we never find each other again, if life doesn’t grant us that gift, I know you’ll be all right. And that’s what will get me through. Because even though we’re as thick as thieves, I also believe in you on your own, without me. I always will. And I promise I will never stop being your biggest fan. And no matter where I am, know that I am rooting for you always.

Thank you for being my favorite person in the entire world. Forever and always. In the good and in the grit. Love, Ally xo

He can’t fix me. I know that. Nothing can besides time. But he is my person. And if anyone is going to walk next to me through the darkness of hell and make it less painful, it’s him. This beautiful, selfless, damaged boy that I have grown to love so damn much.

I know all of his secrets, and now, he knows all of mine. I know how much pain he holds inside of him. I want to help him through his, just like he has done for me. It truly is us against the world.

I don’t know what the next few days, weeks or months will hold. But I know I’ll be here, by his side, through it all. They say love makes you do crazy things. Well, I’d have to disagree. Cole’s love, though it might make me act insane at times, has calmed my soul. Bringing me to a place of self-acceptance and security. I only hope that I can bring that to him too.

I make my way to her bed. Lying down, I pull her against me. Which only makes her cry harder. Her petite body trembles against mine. “Shh …” I whisper against her hair. “I’m right here, baby. I’ve got you now.

For the next hour, that’s all I do—I just hold her. I don’t speak; I don’t move. I just hold on to her so that she knows I’m here. So she knows I’m never letting go.

You show up here, begging for me to fuck you. Giving me nothing in return, and I’m the one who is fucking things up?” I laugh. “What the fuck happened to you, Ally? Because you aren’t the girl I knew before.” “You’re right.” She pounds her fist against her chest. “That girl is dead. And guess what, Storm. So are you and me.

The birthdays that you made special, the times you held me when I needed to feel close to someone, and the storms we chased together, basking in them just to escape our shitty world for a while—those times were the best days of my life.

As she turns to leave, I don’t have the urge to run after her. For once in my life, no matter how much it hurts me, I let her leave. I let my angel walk home alone … in the dark.

Ally, he loves you; he wants you. You are the one who keeps finding excuses to run. You are the one pushing him away.

I know that she’s right. I have so many secrets I’m not ready to open up about. And I know me sabotaging us is just me avoiding him finding out what I’ve worked so hard to keep hidden. In my mind, if I keep the truth buried, I’ll never have to feel the effects of it. If it stays in the past, I can try to move on and forget it.

But I need to be strong right now—for her. This isn’t about me or my anger or vengeance. I need to just take care of my girl. “I’m s-sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. I was-wasn’t ready.” She stops and takes a breath. “I knew if I looked into your eyes, I’d want to tell you every-everything, and I was to-too scared to do that. Scared for you and for me.

Well, fuck you then. Because I belong to you. I fucking belong to you and you alone.

You’re already mine, Ally.” And I know he means the words he’s saying. He always says I belong to him, but I know he belongs to me too. Mind, body, and soul. “All yours. Forever yours.

Oh my fucking gosh, Cole.” I chuckle. Even during the most romantic moment, that damn potty mouth comes out. “I prayed for an angel in my darkest times. Times when it would have been so easy to give up, I closed my eyes and somehow felt your touch. I just knew you were out there. I only had to be patient, and I knew that, one day, you’d find me. And you did.

Being apart isn’t meant for us. Could we do it? Sure. But why should we have to? We spent the first twelve years of our lives separated and were ripped apart all those years ago. I don’t ever want to be apart from her. Next to my side is where she belongs. It’s where she’s always belonged.

Looking at Ally, I know she’s all I will ever need. In the good and in the grit, she’ll be here. Always.

That it does,” I agree. “If there wasn’t pain, would we appreciate the good moments as much? Would times like this feel as significant if it was all rainbows, all the time?” Somehow, I don’t think so. I think pain is there for a reason. We need it to exist.

Now the question is, which part of me is going to win? That’s the fucked up part. I already know the answer. She’s my kryptonite, my drug of choice, and the only one who can bring me straight down to my knees. I can’t push her away, no matter how badly I want to.

I’d know that voice anywhere. And even though I hate to admit it, that voice makes my heart damn near skip a beat.

Destiny couldn’t have brought us back together. Could it? I shake that thought off. So far, destiny hasn’t been that kind to me. I seriously doubt it had anything to do with the man my heart beats for being at the same college.

Maybe I am hot and cold. And maybe he is overbearing. I can’t deny this gravitational pull that we have with each other. I’m not dumb. I know even an ocean couldn’t keep us apart. I need to keep him close enough for me to survive but far enough for him to not find out the truth about the day that I left.

My soul belongs to you. Even if sometimes, I wish like hell it didn’t.” I don’t know whether I mean that or not. Sometimes, it probably would be easier to be free from her. With us, there is so much emotional baggage. But it’s like I am a genie stuck in a bottle.

Thank you for trying,” she says softly before reaching up and running her fingers through my hair. “I don’t want to live in a world where you and I are apart.

How did we get here? How did two people who had each other’s backs the way we did end up burning each other down the way that we are? I lied. I’m not fine. Not without him. And I fear I never will be. No. I know I never will be.

The truth is, I’d love to hang out with Cole again. But there’s one part of me that feels pain just by being around him. The floodgates open, and bam, in come the memories. Memories that I can’t talk about with him, and I suck at keeping secrets. Then, there’s the other part of me that knows how easy it would be to fall back into the same old thing with him. It’s a lose-lose situation.

Baby, you should know by now that pushing me away only makes me want you that much more.” I feel his hard erection press against my ass. “Feel that?” he says roughly. “That’s what you do to me when you act up. I’ve been patient with you, but my patience is wearing thin. Fast.

Having him this close again—his scent in my nose, intoxicating my brain, and his hardness reminding me of all that I’ve missed—it would be so easy to just give it up to him right now and to fall back into our old ways. This man, he was my safe place, my best friend, and the one who helped me through my shit for such a long time. But I have secrets now, and I’m not the same girl I was when I left the Falls.

Oh, I can, baby girl, and I will. I’d fuck you right against this building if I needed to.

Oh, I can, baby girl, and I will. I’d fuck you right against this building if I needed

Allycat, you and I both know if I have big-dick energy, it is in fact because I have a big dick.” He tsks me. “And I’m certain that you remember just how big my di—

I don’t see how we could ever get over those feelings. Then again, I don’t know how we could ever get over the other feelings either. The ones that go by the names of love, passion, and desire. Because honestly, I just don’t see a universe existing where I don’t feel all of those things for Cole Storms. And to be real, I don’t think I want to.

You know me better than I know myself. When I hurt, you hurt. When I’m happy, you’re happy. We live to keep each other alive, Ally. And we also live in each other’s sorrows. If that isn’t the realest, rawest form of love, I don’t know what is. Because I promise you, baby, I’d take a hundred hard days with you over a thousand perfect days with anybody else.

I told you our story wasn’t pretty. But I wouldn’t trade this story for anyone else’s. Because … it’s ours. And our story, flawed and gritty as it might be, is so much more than I could have ever imagined. It’s perfectly imperfect. And perfectly us.

Ally, I’ve loved you since I was twelve years old. And even before then, I knew you were a part of me. I could live a million different lives, and I’m willing to bet money that I’d find my way to you in each and every one of them.

I’ve always said you belong to me and that you’re mine. But I hope you know that I belong to you too. Every single part of me does. And that’s how I want it to be for the rest of our lives—and all of the other lives we’re granted.

was twelve, it felt like I’d found my beginning. Like I could finally breathe without pain. But now? Well, now, I know that when it comes to Ally, she’s my beginning, my middle, and my end. She’s where my life began and where it will end. She’s my forever and always.

Besides, I know he’s just upset. I hope that’s all it is anyway. I have a hard time believing that he’s actually over us. We were inseparable.

Please, Ally. Please look at me. I don’t know what I did or what I didn’t do. But I need you to look at me. Look at me like you used to.” His voice is much softer now.

That’s the fuel behind the part of me that wants to hurt her the way she hurt me. Only more. The only problem is, the other part of me—the bigger part—wants to pull her in and never let her go. I want to make her realize how much she missed me while she was away. I want to make her cry out my name like she used to and make her laugh until the tears are rolling down her cheeks again. I’ve missed that so much. I’ve missed her so much.

But mostly, I’m just relieved. We were each other’s first. I thought we would be each other’s only. When I thought he had been with that girl, well, it felt like everything was ruined.

I know you are. Just hang in there a little longer, angel. I’ll be in the NFL, and you’ll be one of the country’s most famous singer-slash-songwriters.” “I hope so.” I just don’t know if you’ll be next to me. It isn’t about the fame for me. Not in the way it is for Cole anyway. He’d never say it out loud, but he wants his name known because he wants his mother and all the others who left him to realize how much they missed out on.

I just want my heart to feel something, anything, besides the aching feeling that it does. And he’s the only one who can do that. He’s the only one who can make me whole again. But I will admit, now that I’m at Brooks University, I do see a glimmer of hope. It’s small, but it’s there.

That’s what made Cole’s nickname so special and something only we had. He knew what I meant when I called him “my storm.” Because he calmed me, and he turned the loudness into white noise. He took away all of my pain.

Well, maybe he was somebody to me at one time, but now, he isn’t.” Putting his hand on my shoulder, he looks me in the eyes. “That boy’s eyes never left you. Not the whole time he was here. I might be old, but I’m not blind.

Well, it sounds like …” She pauses, her finger tapping her lips. “Like what?” I ask. My curiosity killing me. “Like destiny,” she says softly. “You both ended up here for a reason.

Maybe you should start believing in it,” she says before leading the way to our seats. “Because I’m not sure what other sign you need from the world to tell you that you were meant to be in each other’s lives. It’s pretty dang obvious to me.

Do you now?” I say, pushing him away from me and ducking underneath his arm. “Because it hasn’t seemed like it. And to think, I’ve waited for you all this time. Not so much as sparing a glance at another guy.

I’ve always been yours. I will always be yours. You should know that by now.” She tilts her head to the side. “Do you mean that?” “Ally, there’s no place either of us could ever go that would keep us apart.

I long for his touch, and I yearn for his kiss. Sometimes, when I close my eyes, I can almost feel him here with me. But when I open them up, I’m brought back to the harsh reality that I’ll likely never see him again.

Coming back to reality, I have the urge to go for a run. Even fresh from practice, I can’t stand to sit still. I know I won’t outrun the memory of her, but I can sure as hell try. The thing is, I’m not just running from her; I’m running from everything. I’m not ready to feel anything. My whole life, I’ve done my best to keep my mind so busy that it doesn’t have a second to feel anything from the past.

Standing up, he pulls me up with him and scoops me up. “Because in the darkest of my days, I prayed for you. I just didn’t know you yet. But I prayed for an angel, knowing one day, if I was patient, an angel would come.” “An angel.” I smile.

Yep. And I never want there to be a day when I wake up in a world where you and I are apart.” His lips kiss mine, and after, the taste of mint lingers on my lips. “Understood?

remarks about Eisenhower are pretty drastic! My opinion, however, never changed much as regards his tactical ability or his powers of command. In these early days he literally knew nothing of the requirements of a commander in action…. Where he shone was in his ability to handle allied forces, to treat them all with strict impartiality, and to get the very best out of an inter-allied force…. As Supreme Commander, what he may have lacked in military ability he greatly made up for by the charm of his personality.

Allies on whom you could not rely were sometimes worse than no allies at all.

I have now reigned above 50 years in victory or peace; beloved by my subjects, dreaded by my enemies, and respected by my allies. Riches and honors, power and pleasure, have waited on my call, nor does any earthly blessing appear to have been wanting to my felicity.[15] Fame, riches, and pleasure beyond imagination. Sounds great, doesn’t it? But, as he goes on to write, I have diligently numbered the days of pure and genuine happiness which have fallen to my lot: They amount to 14.