--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: How could I not?” My hand fluttered in…" description: "\"“How could I not?” My hand fluttered in her direction, wishing I could make every fucking inch of space separating us disappear. “I lied to you, Aly. T..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/726/a-l-jackson-3740_lied_how-could-i-not-my-hand-fluttered-in-her_2771808.jpg" --- # How could I not?” My hand fluttered in her direction… ![“How could I not?” My hand fluttered in her direction, wishing I could make every fucking inch of space separating us disappear. “I lied to you, Aly. That night… ” I swallowed hard as my attention shot to the place where I’d left her behind before I angled it back on her. “I left knowing I could…” quote by A.L. Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/726/a-l-jackson-3740_lied_how-could-i-not-my-hand-fluttered-in-her_2771808.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/726/a-l-jackson-3740_lied_how-could-i-not-my-hand-fluttered-in-her_2771808.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/726/a-l-jackson-3740_lied_how-could-i-not-my-hand-fluttered-in-her_2771808.jpg) > ““How could I not?” My hand fluttered in her direction, wishing I could make every fucking inch of space separating us disappear. “I lied to you, Aly. That night… ” I swallowed hard as my attention shot to the place where I’d left her behind before I angled it back on her. “I left knowing I could never forget you, but praying somehow you could forget me. And I know I shouldn’t be here. I know I should give you a chance to forget, but, Aly… I miss you.”” [A.L. Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-l-jackson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The narrator longs intensely for someone, wishing distance vanished, confessing lingering feelings and guilt. **In simple terms:** Intense longing and guilt. Key Takeaway Acknowledge and process unresolved emotions. Themes love longing guilt distance Mood melancholic introspective Type romantic psychological When to use this quote - breakup - unrequited love - personal reflection - creative writing Key Concepts attachment confession emotional conflict Questions to Reflect On - What holds you back from letting go? - How can you heal while honoring past love? A Different Perspective May romanticize unhealthy obsession; could impede moving on. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Disappear Lied](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disappear-lied-3247799/) [Lied](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lied/) [Lied Aly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lied-aly-3247798/) [Night Swallowed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/night-swallowed-2061409/) [Swallowed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/swallowed/) ## Related quotes > [“Did you jack off last night?” He swallowed, his throat undulating against her lips. “No.” “Really?” He wouldn’t be the first guy to lie…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-andrews/did-you-jack-off-last-night-he-swallowed-his-throat-undulating/) [Amy Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-andrews/) > [The night swallowed him up like a thieving fox.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cornelia-funke/the-night-swallowed-him-up-like-a-thieving-fox/) [Cornelia Funke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cornelia-funke/) > [“You were my first crush.” She sobered, her voice strained as sincere green eyes slanted up to me . “And my only love.” Her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-l-jackson/you-were-my-first-crush-she-sobered-her-voice-strained-as-sincere/) [A.L. Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-l-jackson/) > [“She swallowed it. So bitter. "Vile," she said. "Vile." "I know, but it helps. Trust me. I know." "Trust you," she said. "Hah." "Clearly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/loretta-chase/she-swallowed-it-so-bitter-vile-she-said-vile-i-know-but-it-helps/) [Loretta Chase](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/loretta-chase/) > [“I live well! I may have been swallowed, but I have no intention of being eaten.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mac-barnett/i-live-well-i-may-have-been-swallowed-but-i-have-no-intention-of/) [Mac Barnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mac-barnett/) > [“I never swallowed before. The idea of it wigged me out, but not with him. Apparently, it was my inner porn star.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-lynn/i-never-swallowed-before-the-idea-of-it-wigged-me-out-but-not-with/) [J. Lynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-lynn/) > [“spills of mire I swallowed inside the tower”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-celan/spills-of-mire-i-swallowed-inside-the-tower/) [Paul Celan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-celan/) > [“Zoe swallowed, wishing she hadn’t started the list on her”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tanya-anne-crosby/zoe-swallowed-wishing-she-hadn-t-started-the-list-on-her/) [Tanya Anne Crosby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tanya-anne-crosby/) > [“How will you feel when you're being swallowed up?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-schneider/how-will-you-feel-when-you-re-being-swallowed-up/) [michel schneider](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-schneider/) > [“Anna swallowed and pulled out a chair. She sat and folded her hands on her lap. She felt like she was in trouble. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claire-charlins/anna-swallowed-and-pulled-out-a-chair-she-sat-and-folded-her-hands-on/) [Claire Charlins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claire-charlins/) > [“Here, I meant to put you at your ease but instead I've got you closed up against me again like a pretty little clam."…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracy-anne-warren/here-i-meant-to-put-you-at-your-ease-but-instead-i-ve-got-you-closed/) [Tracy Anne Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracy-anne-warren/) > [“You get everything you need?” She squealed like an idiot and whirled around to see him smirking at her. “JeSUS!” She glared at him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samantha-young/you-get-everything-you-need-she-squealed-like-an-idiot-and-whirled/) [Samantha Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samantha-young/) > [I've been told I looked like I swallowed an elephant or a pig, whichever was more fitting that day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katelyn-ohashi/i-ve-been-told-i-looked-like-i-swallowed-an-elephant-or-a-pig/) [Katelyn Ohashi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katelyn-ohashi/) > [Is it true? You had a clean getaway and risked it all for me?" I Swallowed. "It wouldn't have been a clean getaway without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-mead/is-it-true-you-had-a-clean-getaway-and-risked-it-all-for-me-i/) [Richelle Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-mead/) > [“For a long time before I met you, I felt my life was this kind of test. I was in deep, cold water, swimming…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leah-raeder/for-a-long-time-before-i-met-you-i-felt-my-life-was-this-kind-of-test/) [Leah Raeder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leah-raeder/) ## More by A.L. Jackson > [“Never would I take what I’d been given for granted. I’d never look at her through indifferent eyes, listen to her fears and worries…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-l-jackson/never-would-i-take-what-i-d-been-given-for-granted-i-d-never-look-at/) [A.L. Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-l-jackson/) > [“Erin called us soul mates, but I…I’ve always known it was more than that. It’s like we share the same soul, and when we’re…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-l-jackson/erin-called-us-soul-mates-but-i-i-ve-always-known-it-was-more-than/) [A.L. Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-l-jackson/) > [“Maybe my steps were slow. Maybe it was because I was relishing each one, like each represented an obstacle we'd had to climb, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-l-jackson/maybe-my-steps-were-slow-maybe-it-was-because-i-was-relishing-each/) [A.L. Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-l-jackson/) > [“Was it wrong that all I wanted to do was kiss her? I smiled, and Maggie blushed. Oh God. So cute. I knew then,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-l-jackson/was-it-wrong-that-all-i-wanted-to-do-was-kiss-her-i-smiled-and-maggie/) [A.L. Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-l-jackson/) > [“I don’t get to have this. I already told you… you deserve someone who can love you, someone who will be good for you,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-l-jackson/i-don-t-get-to-have-this-i-already-told-you-you-deserve-someone-who/) [A.L. Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-l-jackson/) > [“Make me remember what it feels like to be loved.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-l-jackson/make-me-remember-what-it-feels-like-to-be-loved/) [A.L. Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-l-jackson/) > [“No, baby, I like the dress." I was just going to like it much, much more in a pile on my bedroom floor.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-l-jackson/no-baby-i-like-the-dress-i-was-just-going-to-like-it-much-much-more/) [A.L. Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-l-jackson/) > [“No, Jared, you're not. You're my everything.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-l-jackson/no-jared-you-re-not-you-re-my-everything/) [A.L. Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-l-jackson/) > [“I’m afraid of this. It’s insane that I’m here. You’re the last person I should fall for.” His big hand cupped the side of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-l-jackson/i-m-afraid-of-this-it-s-insane-that-i-m-here-you-re-the-last-person-i/) [A.L. Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-l-jackson/) > [“My body trembled as all the regrets of my life washed through me, my heart feeling as if it were on the verge of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-l-jackson/my-body-trembled-as-all-the-regrets-of-my-life-washed-through-me-my/) [A.L. Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-l-jackson/) > [“You changed everything the day you walked into my life. You are my heart’s second chance.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-l-jackson/you-changed-everything-the-day-you-walked-into-my-life-you-are-my/) [A.L. Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-l-jackson/) > [“Hearts have a way of finding their way home.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-l-jackson/hearts-have-a-way-of-finding-their-way-home/) [A.L. Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-l-jackson/) > [“Maybe the most important question was the one that burned bright, the one that nagged, the one that promised Christian could never be scraped…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-l-jackson/maybe-the-most-important-question-was-the-one-that-burned-bright-the/) [A.L. Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-l-jackson/) > [“No fear. Just life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-l-jackson/no-fear-just-life/) [A.L. Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-l-jackson/) > [“don’t want to leave behind any question of how much I love you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-l-jackson/don-t-want-to-leave-behind-any-question-of-how-much-i-love-you/) [A.L. Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-l-jackson/) [Explore all 123 A.L. Jackson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-l-jackson/) ## More Lied quotes > [In any event, it is one thing to assert, then or now, that the Iraq war was ill-advised. It is quite another to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurence-silberman/in-any-event-it-is-one-thing-to-assert-then-or-now-that-the-iraq-war/) [Laurence Silberman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-silberman/) > [There's this American pretense, which is the pretense of the journalist with the view from nowhere - which has somehow morphed into the journalist…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masha-gessen/there-s-this-american-pretense-which-is-the-pretense-of-the/) [Masha Gessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masha-gessen/) > [I'm Not A Star, Sombody Lied I Got Pistol In My Car, A Forty Five.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-ross/i-m-not-a-star-sombody-lied-i-got-pistol-in-my-car-a-forty-five/) [Rick Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-ross/) > [Maturity is reached the day we don't need to be lied to about anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-yerby/maturity-is-reached-the-day-we-don-t-need-to-be-lied-to-about-anything/) [Frank Yerby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-yerby/) > [We're in more wars today under Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton than under George W. Bush or Ronald Reagan. Yet they tell you that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/we-re-in-more-wars-today-under-barack-obama-and-hillary-clinton-than/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [Its taken me months, and months to finally believe youre alive. Still breathing, smiling, touching, walking, thinking, and so much more. I think this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brianna-c/its-taken-me-months-and-months-to-finally-believe-youre-alive-still/) [Brianna C](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brianna-c/) > [“Are you alright?" he asked warily. "Sure," I lied as I turned and headed for the stairs. So softly that only a werewolf could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathleen-peacock/are-you-alright-he-asked-warily-sure-i-lied-as-i-turned-and-headed/) [Kathleen Peacock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathleen-peacock/) > [Betrayal is a serious thing in this world,you know what else is serious? Being lied to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sabrina/betrayal-is-a-serious-thing-in-this-world-you-know-what-else-is/) [Sabrina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sabrina/) > [Tal told me he loved me, and told me and told me, but you don't tell someone that and then tell them they're not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-cohn/tal-told-me-he-loved-me-and-told-me-and-told-me-but-you-don-t-tell/) [Rachel Cohn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-cohn/) > [“He lied. I lied. Any love that starts out under a lie is bound to kill you. I just didn't want to die on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karina-halle/he-lied-i-lied-any-love-that-starts-out-under-a-lie-is-bound-to-kill/) [Karina Halle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karina-halle/) > [To have lied is to have suffered.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-hugo/to-have-lied-is-to-have-suffered/) [Victor Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-hugo/) > [Political correctness is a major defect of the western ethos. Some Western countries have even passed blasphemy laws that would put you in legal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ali-sina/political-correctness-is-a-major-defect-of-the-western-ethos-some/) [Ali Sina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ali-sina/) > [You lost me because you lied to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-lost-me-because-you-lied-to-me/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Truth is, I lied when I said I'm nothing without you...turns out I'm better off.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/truth-is-i-lied-when-i-said-i-m-nothing-without-you-turns-out-i-m/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“They say when you're about to die, you see your entire life flash before your eyes. They lied.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/they-say-when-you-re-about-to-die-you-see-your-entire-life-flash/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) [Browse all 929 Lied quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lied/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“How could I not?” My hand fluttered in her direction, wishing I could make every fucking inch of space separating us disappear. “I lied to you, Aly. That night… ” I swallowed hard as my attention shot to the place where I’d left her behind before I angled it back on her. “I left knowing I could never forget you, but praying somehow you could forget me. And I know I shouldn’t be here. I know I should give you a chance to forget, but, Aly… I miss you.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "A.L. 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