--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: She was suddenly self-conscious of the…" description: "\"“She was suddenly self-conscious of the fact that she and Jay were on the bed together, even though they'd been there, together like that, hundreds, ma..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/33c/kimberly-derting-2436_beneath-the-surface_she-was-suddenly-self-conscious-of-the-f_1672956.jpg" --- # She was suddenly self-conscious of the fact that she and… ![“She was suddenly self-conscious of the fact that she and Jay were on the bed together, even though they'd been there, together like that, hundreds, maybe even thousands, of times before. And it had never bothered her then, when they were still just friends ; but somehow with her father just a few…” quote by Kimberly Derting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/33c/kimberly-derting-2436_beneath-the-surface_she-was-suddenly-self-conscious-of-the-f_1672956.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/33c/kimberly-derting-2436_beneath-the-surface_she-was-suddenly-self-conscious-of-the-f_1672956.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/33c/kimberly-derting-2436_beneath-the-surface_she-was-suddenly-self-conscious-of-the-f_1672956.jpg) > ““She was suddenly self-conscious of the fact that she and Jay were on the bed together, even though they'd been there, together like that, hundreds, maybe even thousands, of times before. And it had never bothered her then, when they were still just friends ; but somehow with her father just a few feet away, especially right after they'd been making out, she felt like they were doing something wrong. "We're fine, Dad!" she called back, trying to sound cool and composed. And then she glared at Jay for his part in making her shout to begin with. They listened to the sound of her father walking away, and Violet noticed that even his footsteps were soft and unobtrusive. There was a long silence once they were alone again. Words that needed to be said, and maybe some that didn't, were like invisible fireworks exploding in the empty space between them. Jay was the first to give in. He reached out and took her hand, wrapping it tightly in both of his. "Look, Vi, I don't know exactly how to say this, but I don't want anything bad to happen to you. I don't think I could handle it if something, or someone , hurt you." The tone of his voice was still immovable and stubborn, despite the sweet sentiment lurking behind it. He squeezed her hand, though...firmly, as if emphasizing his point. "I know it's selfish, and I don't really care if it is, but I'm not gonna stand by and let you put yourself in danger, even if it is to catch a killer." He eased up on her throbbing fingers, and his voice got all husky and rough again. "I can't lose you," he explained, shrugging as if those weren't the most wonderful words she'd ever heard before. "Not now that I finally have you." She felt tears prickling in her eyes, and she blinked hard to try to stop them from coming. She was completely overwhelmed by what she'd just figured out...she'd realized it even before he'd finished talking. She knew what it was that he wasn't saying while he lectured her about safety. He loved her. Jay Heaton, her best friend since childhood, was in love with her. He didn't say it, but she knew that it was true. And the part that really freaked her out, the part of it that caught her completely off guard, was that he wasn't in it alone. Because even though she'd been denying it for a long long time, it had always been there...waiting just beneath the surface of their friendship. And now that it was out, there was no going back. And it was so weird to even be thinking it, but... ...she was in love with him too. ”” [Kimberly Derting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kimberly-derting/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Protective love can be expressed through firm boundaries, even when fear and desire clash. **In simple terms:** Love sometimes means setting firm limits. Key Takeaway Respect protective instincts while communicating openly. Themes love protection boundaries Mood tension hopeful Type narrative emotional When to use this quote - romantic relationships - parental oversight - dangerous situations Key Concepts trust fear communication Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance safety with independence? - When should you trust your instincts over affection? A Different Perspective Rigid protection may stifle growth and autonomy. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Beneath the surface](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beneath-the-surface/) [Best friend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/best-friend/) [Childhood love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/childhood-love/) [Empty space](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/empty-space/) [Long silence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long-silence/) ## Related quotes > [“He loved her. Jay Heaton, her best friend since childhood was in love with her. He didn't say it but she knew that it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kimberly-derting/he-loved-her-jay-heaton-her-best-friend-since-childhood-was-in-love/) [Kimberly Derting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kimberly-derting/) > [“He reached out and took her hand, wrapping it tightly in both of his. “Look, Vi, I don’t know exactly how to say this,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kimberly-derting/he-reached-out-and-took-her-hand-wrapping-it-tightly-in-both-of-his/) [Kimberly Derting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kimberly-derting/) > [You have to understand, writing a novel gets very weird and invisible-friend-from-childhood-ish. Then you kill that thing, which was never really alive except in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-foster-wallace/you-have-to-understand-writing-a-novel-gets-very-weird-and-invisible/) [David Foster Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-foster-wallace/) > [When one hears the argument that marriage should be indissoluble for the sake of children, one cannot help wondering whether the protagonist is really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-la-follette/when-one-hears-the-argument-that-marriage-should-be-indissoluble-for/) [Suzanne La Follette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-la-follette/) > [Once I went back to my old city and saw my best friend from childhood walking around with a gang, looking cool. I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergei-polunin/once-i-went-back-to-my-old-city-and-saw-my-best-friend-from-childhood/) [Sergei Polunin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergei-polunin/) > [Don't say yes until I've finished talking. - Attributed to many Hollywood executives Lots of folks confuse bad management with destiny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kin-hubbard/don-t-say-yes-until-i-ve-finished-talking-attributed-to-many/) [Kin Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kin-hubbard/) > [I saw this documentary he did years ago called 'Fade to Black.' I was always a Jay Z fan - I liked Jay Z…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahershala-ali/i-saw-this-documentary-he-did-years-ago-called-fade-to-black-i-was/) [Mahershala Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahershala-ali/) > [Sometimes you don't know what a book is about until you are finished with it and you're talking about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-han/sometimes-you-don-t-know-what-a-book-is-about-until-you-are-finished/) [Jenny Han](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-han/) > [“Although at the back of my mind I feared that her mood might have something to do with Caleb, I hoped that his behavior…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bella-forrest/although-at-the-back-of-my-mind-i-feared-that-her-mood-might-have/) [Bella Forrest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bella-forrest/) > [ I loved Jay Thomas as Eddie LeBec. But there was a point where they \[thought\] maybe we would live together, and I didn't like… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bebe-neuwirth/i-loved-jay-thomas-as-eddie-lebec-but-there-was-a-point-where-they/) [Bebe Neuwirth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bebe-neuwirth/) > [I've always loved Jay-Z's music and loved what he's done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-cole/i-ve-always-loved-jay-z-s-music-and-loved-what-he-s-done/) [Ashley Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-cole/) > [“You can't imagine how much I hated middle school. Remember the way people would look at you blankly and say, "Um, okaaay," after you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/becky-albertalli/you-can-t-imagine-how-much-i-hated-middle-school-remember-the-way/) [Becky Albertalli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/becky-albertalli/) > [“I felt the worry start to snatch at my breath when I finished talking.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/i-felt-the-worry-start-to-snatch-at-my-breath-when-i-finished-talking/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [“I never thought of a future without you. That was the reason I always lived in the present, hoping I would find you someday.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sapan-saxena/i-never-thought-of-a-future-without-you-that-was-the-reason-i-always/) [Sapan Saxena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sapan-saxena/) > [Ajax were a childhood love of mine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/klaas-jan-huntelaar/ajax-were-a-childhood-love-of-mine/) [Klaas-Jan Huntelaar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/klaas-jan-huntelaar/) ## More by Kimberly Derting > [“If it makes you feel any better, he’s been all sad doll lately too.” “What are you talking about, Chels?” Chelsea stopped walking and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kimberly-derting/if-it-makes-you-feel-any-better-he-s-been-all-sad-doll-lately-too/) [Kimberly Derting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kimberly-derting/) > [“One night, when Violet’s parents had gone out, he teased her about it, whispering against her throat, “I should probably be dating girls my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kimberly-derting/one-night-when-violet-s-parents-had-gone-out-he-teased-her-about-it/) [Kimberly Derting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kimberly-derting/) > [“I just . . . I just wanted to make sure you were . . . okay.” He shoved away from the door as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kimberly-derting/i-just-i-just-wanted-to-make-sure-you-were-okay-he-shoved-away-from/) [Kimberly Derting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kimberly-derting/) > [“What are you doing here?" she asked as she slowed from a jog to a walk and placed her hands on her hips. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kimberly-derting/what-are-you-doing-here-she-asked-as-she-slowed-from-a-jog-to-a-walk/) [Kimberly Derting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kimberly-derting/) > [“Hey, A-D-D,” she called out to Claire, “come over and try these on.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kimberly-derting/hey-a-d-d-she-called-out-to-claire-come-over-and-try-these-on/) [Kimberly Derting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kimberly-derting/) > [“You even used to make up funny stories about those poor little lost creatures of yours. Remember Bob, the squirrel banker who forgot to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kimberly-derting/you-even-used-to-make-up-funny-stories-about-those-poor-little-lost/) [Kimberly Derting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kimberly-derting/) > [“In the meantime, she and Jay sat shoulder to shoulder throughout the movie, and the warmth of his pressed up against her made it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kimberly-derting/in-the-meantime-she-and-jay-sat-shoulder-to-shoulder-throughout-the/) [Kimberly Derting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kimberly-derting/) > [“She picked up a handheld grenade launcher, cradling it like a baby.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kimberly-derting/she-picked-up-a-handheld-grenade-launcher-cradling-it-like-a-baby/) [Kimberly Derting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kimberly-derting/) > [“Ewww!" Clair shrieked, shoving Chelsea away. "Get away from me!" "Leave her Alone Chels" Jules interupted, "or you're going to make her start on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kimberly-derting/ewww-clair-shrieked-shoving-chelsea-away-get-away-from-me-leave-her/) [Kimberly Derting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kimberly-derting/) > [“I loved voices, I always had. Words held meaning, but voices held emotion.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kimberly-derting/i-loved-voices-i-always-had-words-held-meaning-but-voices-held-emotion/) [Kimberly Derting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kimberly-derting/) > [“The sounds she heard bouncing off the walls around her were those of defeat.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kimberly-derting/the-sounds-she-heard-bouncing-off-the-walls-around-her-were-those-of/) [Kimberly Derting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kimberly-derting/) > [“Jay’s mom was a lot of great things that Violet admired, technologically savvy was definitely not one of them. She was one of those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kimberly-derting/jay-s-mom-was-a-lot-of-great-things-that-violet-admired/) [Kimberly Derting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kimberly-derting/) > [“She slid a sideways glance in his direction, trying to figure out just what it was that was making her so . . .…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kimberly-derting/she-slid-a-sideways-glance-in-his-direction-trying-to-figure-out-just/) [Kimberly Derting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kimberly-derting/) > [“He nudged her with his shoulder but didn’t say anything. They stayed like that for a while, enjoying the silence of being alone and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kimberly-derting/he-nudged-her-with-his-shoulder-but-didn-t-say-anything-they-stayed/) [Kimberly Derting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kimberly-derting/) > [“Odd how somehow she'd once thought she hated had become such an integral part of her daily life. Like breathing.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kimberly-derting/odd-how-somehow-she-d-once-thought-she-hated-had-become-such-an/) [Kimberly Derting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kimberly-derting/) [Explore all 166 Kimberly Derting quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kimberly-derting/) ## More Beneath the surface quotes > [“So you intend to go through life never loving anyone? Just … things?” “No. I’m looking for something more.” “More than love?” “Yes.” “Is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/renee-ahdieh/so-you-intend-to-go-through-life-never-loving-anyone-just-things-no-i/) [Renee Ahdieh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/renee-ahdieh/) > [We are true to our name. We're somewhat beneath the surface, and I think well always be to a certain extent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/black-thought/we-are-true-to-our-name-we-re-somewhat-beneath-the-surface-and-i/) [Black Thought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/black-thought/) > [Stir not murky waters if you know not the depth or the creatures that dwell beneath the surface.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-davis/stir-not-murky-waters-if-you-know-not-the-depth-or-the-creatures-that/) [Bryan Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-davis/) > [“The burning glow of fire basked him in a warm light. I feared to look at him, to study him again after the train,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rae-z-ryans/the-burning-glow-of-fire-basked-him-in-a-warm-light-i-feared-to-look/) [Rae Z. Ryans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rae-z-ryans/) > [Whether it is photography, assemblage art or filmmaking, my work is to see beneath the surface.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christophe-agou/whether-it-is-photography-assemblage-art-or-filmmaking-my-work-is-to/) [Christophe Agou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christophe-agou/) > [I'm of that generation of Jews still deeply influenced by the Holocaust. Certainly the notion that the state power to kill can be subject…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-turow/i-m-of-that-generation-of-jews-still-deeply-influenced-by-the/) [Scott Turow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-turow/) > [I prefer neurotic people. I like to hear rumblings beneath the surface.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-sondheim/i-prefer-neurotic-people-i-like-to-hear-rumblings-beneath-the-surface/) [Stephen Sondheim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-sondheim/) > [“Yes, the hermitage is underground--miles beneath the surface of Antarctica. And yes, Ike refers to it as unten--literally 'under' or 'below.' But, hello, it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-leyner/yes-the-hermitage-is-underground-miles-beneath-the-surface-of/) [Mark Leyner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-leyner/) > [All art is at once surface and symbol. Those who go beneath the surface do so at their peril. Those who read the symbol…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/all-art-is-at-once-surface-and-symbol-those-who-go-beneath-the/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [“Her father...was all front to back in his transparency: what you saw was what there was, there was nothing clandestine in his character, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-wiggins/her-father-was-all-front-to-back-in-his-transparency-what-you-saw-was/) [Marianne Wiggins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-wiggins/) > [The past lies beneath the surface, intransigent truth. Remembered or not, what we say and do remains, always.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meredith-hall/the-past-lies-beneath-the-surface-intransigent-truth-remembered-or/) [Meredith Hall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meredith-hall/) > [“From birth, man carries the weight of gravity on his shoulders. He is bolted to the Earth. But man has only to sink beneath…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaques-barzun-cousteau/from-birth-man-carries-the-weight-of-gravity-on-his-shoulders-he-is/) Jaques Barzun Cousteau > [Be willing to face life squarely and get down beneath the surface of life where the verities and realities are to be found.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peace-pilgrim/be-willing-to-face-life-squarely-and-get-down-beneath-the-surface-of/) [Peace Pilgrim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peace-pilgrim/) > [It's like, imagine the ripples on top of an ocean. And I'm in a rowboat, reactively dealing with the waves and water coming into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-oz/it-s-like-imagine-the-ripples-on-top-of-an-ocean-and-i-m-in-a-rowboat/) [Mehmet Oz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-oz/) > [“But not all its avenues were paved with marble nor all its denizens dwellers in palaces. Men and women of a dozen races huddled…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-duncan/but-not-all-its-avenues-were-paved-with-marble-nor-all-its-denizens/) [Dave Duncan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-duncan/) [Browse all 295 Beneath the surface quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beneath-the-surface/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“She was suddenly self-conscious of the fact that she and Jay were on the bed together, even though they'd been there, together like that, hundreds, maybe even thousands, of times before. And it had never bothered her then, when they were still just friends ; but somehow with her father just a few feet away, especially right after they'd been making out, she felt like they were doing something wrong. \"We're fine, Dad!\" she called back, trying to sound cool and composed. And then she glared at Jay for his part in making her shout to begin with. They listened to the sound of her father walking away, and Violet noticed that even his footsteps were soft and unobtrusive. There was a long silence once they were alone again. Words that needed to be said, and maybe some that didn't, were like invisible fireworks exploding in the empty space between them. Jay was the first to give in. He reached out and took her hand, wrapping it tightly in both of his. \"Look, Vi, I don't know exactly how to say this, but I don't want anything bad to happen to you. I don't think I could handle it if something, or someone , hurt you.\" The tone of his voice was still immovable and stubborn, despite the sweet sentiment lurking behind it. He squeezed her hand, though...firmly, as if emphasizing his point. \"I know it's selfish, and I don't really care if it is, but I'm not gonna stand by and let you put yourself in danger, even if it is to catch a killer.\" He eased up on her throbbing fingers, and his voice got all husky and rough again. \"I can't lose you,\" he explained, shrugging as if those weren't the most wonderful words she'd ever heard before. \"Not now that I finally have you.\" She felt tears prickling in her eyes, and she blinked hard to try to stop them from coming. She was completely overwhelmed by what she'd just figured out...she'd realized it even before he'd finished talking. She knew what it was that he wasn't saying while he lectured her about safety. He loved her. Jay Heaton, her best friend since childhood, was in love with her. He didn't say it, but she knew that it was true. And the part that really freaked her out, the part of it that caught her completely off guard, was that he wasn't in it alone. Because even though she'd been denying it for a long long time, it had always been there...waiting just beneath the surface of their friendship. And now that it was out, there was no going back. And it was so weird to even be thinking it, but... ...she was in love with him too. ”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Kimberly Derting" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kimberly-derting/she-was-suddenly-self-conscious-of-the-fact-that-she-and-jay-were-on/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Beneath the surface" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kimberly-derting/she-was-suddenly-self-conscious-of-the-fact-that-she-and-jay-were-on/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/33c/kimberly-derting-2436_beneath-the-surface_she-was-suddenly-self-conscious-of-the-f_1672956.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/33c/kimberly-derting-2436_beneath-the-surface_she-was-suddenly-self-conscious-of-the-f_1672956.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/33c/kimberly-derting-2436_beneath-the-surface_she-was-suddenly-self-conscious-of-the-f_1672956.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“She was suddenly self-conscious of the fact that she and Jay were on the bed together, even though they'd…” — Kimberly Derting", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Kimberly Derting", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kimberly-derting/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“She was suddenly self-conscious of the...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kimberly-derting/she-was-suddenly-self-conscious-of-the-fact-that-she-and-jay-were-on/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kimberly-derting/she-was-suddenly-self-conscious-of-the-fact-that-she-and-jay-were-on/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```