Beautiful face Quote by Claire LaZebnik
““Don’t you feel like we’re living in a different world from everyone else at school? All anyone else ever thinks about is getting into the best college they can afford.” I wind my fingers around my cup, seeking out the warmth. “And if I weren’t worried about Ivy, I’d totally be like that—I mean, I work hard at school. I want to get a huge scholarship and go somewhere amazing just as much as everyone else. But if I only thought about that . . . if I just stopped caring about what’s going to happen to Ivy . . . I’d end up hating myself.” David’s mouth opens like he sort of wants to say something, but then he doesn’t. I glance up, and he’s just sitting there looking at me. His eyes are such a cool color—a mixture of brown and gray with tiny flecks of yellow ringing the pupils. How could I ever have thought they were colorless and uninteresting? I squirm under his steady gaze. “You’d tell me if I had something on my face, right?” “You have, like, this beautiful face on your face.” I feel my cheeks turn hot. I give a shaky laugh. “Don’t turn into someone who gives compliments. I won’t know you anymore.” “Don’t worry,” he says, flushing. Which is kind of adorable. “That one just slipped out. It won’t happen again.””
About This Quote
Source Short Story: “The Warmth of Ivy”, 2020
The pressure to achieve elite academic success can erode self‑esteem, especially when identity ties to external validation.
In simple terms: Obsessing over prestige harms self‑worth.
Seek personal growth beyond grades.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- college applications
- scholarship pursuits
- career planning
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What defines success for you?
- How can you separate self‑worth from achievement?
Success defined only by external metrics is limiting.