---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Face calm and composed, Kellan simply…"
description: "\"“Face calm and composed, Kellan simply smiled. Taking that as an affirmative response, Tory twisted to face the elevator doors. Behind her back, Kellan..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/44e/s-c-stephens-1131_smiled_face-calm-and-composed-kellan-simply-smi_273182.jpg"
---

#  Face calm and composed, Kellan simply smiled. Taking that…

![“Face calm and composed, Kellan simply smiled. Taking that as an affirmative response, Tory twisted to face the elevator doors. Behind her back, Kellan flashed me a devilish smile, one that clearly said, Hell if I’m doing any of that.” quote by S.C. Stephens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/44e/s-c-stephens-1131_smiled_face-calm-and-composed-kellan-simply-smi_273182.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/44e/s-c-stephens-1131_smiled_face-calm-and-composed-kellan-simply-smi_273182.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/44e/s-c-stephens-1131_smiled_face-calm-and-composed-kellan-simply-smi_273182.jpg)

> ““Face calm and composed, Kellan simply smiled. Taking that as an affirmative response, Tory twisted to face the elevator doors. Behind her back, Kellan flashed me a devilish smile, one that clearly said, Hell if I’m doing any of that.””

[S.C. Stephens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-c-stephens/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A character interprets a subtle, mischievous smile as a defiant or risky affirmation.

**In simple terms:** Smile signals defiance.

Key Takeaway

Read body language carefully.

Themes

communication interpretation defiance

Mood

cautious analytical

Type

interpersonal observational

When to use this quote

- negotiations
- team meetings
- conflict resolution
- social gatherings

Key Concepts

nonverbal cues social dynamics

Questions to Reflect On

- How reliable is a smile as a cue?
- What other signals could clarify intent?

A Different Perspective

Smiles can be ambiguous and misread.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

## Related quotes

> [“Oh my God.” Lumine smiled. “He’s not taking calls right now.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-cremer/oh-my-god-lumine-smiled-he-s-not-taking-calls-right-now/)

[Andrea Cremer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-cremer/)

> [“I don’t regret a single second that I spent with you.” I smiled wryly at him. “No time spent with you is wasted.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-c-stephens/i-don-t-regret-a-single-second-that-i-spent-with-you-i-smiled-wryly/)

[S.C. Stephens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-c-stephens/)

> [“Whatever happens from here on out, I want you to know that I don't regret anything. Being with you, loving you, experiencing this with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-c-stephens/whatever-happens-from-here-on-out-i-want-you-to-know-that-i-don-t/)

[S.C. Stephens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-c-stephens/)

> [He put his arms around her. “Well, in my defense, then, whatever I did seemed to work, didn't it?” She sighed. “I suppose.” “You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-sparks/he-put-his-arms-around-her-well-in-my-defense-then-whatever-i-did/)

[Nicholas Sparks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-sparks/)

> [“He smiled sadly. "I was lost from the moment I saw you on Ovchinin Island. It took a long while for me to realize…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evelyn-skye/he-smiled-sadly-i-was-lost-from-the-moment-i-saw-you-on-ovchinin/)

[Evelyn Skye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evelyn-skye/)

> [“Kurt smiled a shy smile. "You're just trying to cheer me up," he said. "Course I am," Andy said. "You deserve to be full…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cory-doctorow/kurt-smiled-a-shy-smile-you-re-just-trying-to-cheer-me-up-he-said/)

[Cory Doctorow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cory-doctorow/)

> [“Then, with one of his quick changes of mood, he smiled. “Yes, there’s one thing I do want. I want to be aware of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/then-with-one-of-his-quick-changes-of-mood-he-smiled-yes-there-s-one/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“That man had blond hair, all right, and he smiled and showed all his teeth.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gertrude-chandler-warner/that-man-had-blond-hair-all-right-and-he-smiled-and-showed-all-his/)

[Gertrude Chandler Warner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gertrude-chandler-warner/)

> [“Miss Craven held up a pair she thought would fit me—monstrous great things they were, of course, and I thought she smiled as she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-waters/miss-craven-held-up-a-pair-she-thought-would-fit-me-monstrous-great/)

[Sarah Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-waters/)

> [“Inej frowned. “I thought you and Nina chose four outbreak sites on the Staves.” Kaz straightened his cuffs. “I also had her stop at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/inej-frowned-i-thought-you-and-nina-chose-four-outbreak-sites-on-the/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“They didn't understand, it not being directed at them, what that smile could do. The power of it. It was like every time he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristen-ashley/they-didn-t-understand-it-not-being-directed-at-them-what-that-smile/)

[Kristen Ashley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristen-ashley/)

> [When they took me to do the camera test for the vampire make up, after they put the prosthetic on, I went though the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-benz/when-they-took-me-to-do-the-camera-test-for-the-vampire-make-up-after/)

[Julie Benz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-benz/)

> [She smiled with all the delight of a kid on Christmas morning and said, "Y'all smoke to enjoy it. I smoke to die." -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/she-smiled-with-all-the-delight-of-a-kid-on-christmas-morning-and/)

[John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/)

> [So," I said. "Seems you're going to be stuck with me for a while." He smiled. A real smile that lit up his whole…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelley-armstrong/so-i-said-seems-you-re-going-to-be-stuck-with-me-for-a-while-he/)

[Kelley Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelley-armstrong/)

> [“She smiled at and spoke to each person. It was as though she couldn't come into contact with anyone or anything without imparting some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-leighton/she-smiled-at-and-spoke-to-each-person-it-was-as-though-she-couldn-t/)

[M. Leighton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-leighton/)

## More by S.C. Stephens

> [“Yeah...thanks for...letting us come...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-c-stephens/yeah-thanks-for-letting-us-come/)

[S.C. Stephens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-c-stephens/)

> [“I just... I can't share you. The thought of you with him, it kills me, now more than it ever did before. I need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-c-stephens/i-just-i-can-t-share-you-the-thought-of-you-with-him-it-kills-me-now/)

[S.C. Stephens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-c-stephens/)

> [“I tried to do the right thing. Why couldn't you just let me leave?" (Kellan)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-c-stephens/i-tried-to-do-the-right-thing-why-couldn-t-you-just-let-me-leave/)

[S.C. Stephens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-c-stephens/)

> [“We’d learned to open up to each other, to trust each other, to face the world together. I firmly believed now that there was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-c-stephens/we-d-learned-to-open-up-to-each-other-to-trust-each-other-to-face-the/)

[S.C. Stephens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-c-stephens/)

> [“But he had the kindest face in the world, with big, dark eyes and buzzed-cut brown hair.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-c-stephens/but-he-had-the-kindest-face-in-the-world-with-big-dark-eyes-and/)

[S.C. Stephens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-c-stephens/)

> [“Kiera, I don't want to tell you how to handle your relationship with him, but... you'll never last if you start lying to him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-c-stephens/kiera-i-don-t-want-to-tell-you-how-to-handle-your-relationship-with/)

[S.C. Stephens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-c-stephens/)

> [“I need you to be there when I die"... ... "I need your face to be the last thing my human eyes see.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-c-stephens/i-need-you-to-be-there-when-i-die-i-need-your-face-to-be-the-last/)

[S.C. Stephens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-c-stephens/)

> [“You are so addicting to me.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-c-stephens/you-are-so-addicting-to-me/)

[S.C. Stephens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-c-stephens/)

> [“Looking down at me, Kellan raised an eyebrow. “Did your dad buy you the squeakiest bed in the world on purpose?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-c-stephens/looking-down-at-me-kellan-raised-an-eyebrow-did-your-dad-buy-you-the/)

[S.C. Stephens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-c-stephens/)

> [“The love we felt for each other while definitely never planned or expected as I suppose most love isnt had irrevocably seared us both…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-c-stephens/the-love-we-felt-for-each-other-while-definitely-never-planned-or/)

[S.C. Stephens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-c-stephens/)

> [“Dont be sorry for loving someone”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-c-stephens/dont-be-sorry-for-loving-someone/)

[S.C. Stephens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-c-stephens/)

> [Ethics and I had crossed paths recently, and I’m not sure that I fell on the right side of the morality line.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-c-stephens/ethics-and-i-had-crossed-paths-recently-and-i-m-not-sure-that-i-fell/)

[S.C. Stephens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-c-stephens/)

> [“God, I missed you. I missed that.” “Missed what?” “You…your humor, your smile, your touch, your…everything.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-c-stephens/god-i-missed-you-i-missed-that-missed-what-you-your-humor-your-smile/)

[S.C. Stephens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-c-stephens/)

> [“Everything about him had screamed, I"m going to take you right here and make you foreget your own name.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-c-stephens/everything-about-him-had-screamed-i-m-going-to-take-you-right-here/)

[S.C. Stephens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-c-stephens/)

> [“I cupped her pale cheek, lightly highlighted with a rosy blush, and kissed her tenderly, savoring the feel of her lips against mine. "You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-c-stephens/i-cupped-her-pale-cheek-lightly-highlighted-with-a-rosy-blush-and/)

[S.C. Stephens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-c-stephens/)

[Explore all 285 S.C. Stephens quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-c-stephens/)

## More Smiled quotes

> [“She smiled at and spoke to each person. It was as though she couldn't come into contact with anyone or anything without imparting some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-leighton/she-smiled-at-and-spoke-to-each-person-it-was-as-though-she-couldn-t/)

[M. Leighton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-leighton/)

> [So," I said. "Seems you're going to be stuck with me for a while." He smiled. A real smile that lit up his whole…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelley-armstrong/so-i-said-seems-you-re-going-to-be-stuck-with-me-for-a-while-he/)

[Kelley Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelley-armstrong/)

> [She smiled with all the delight of a kid on Christmas morning and said, "Y'all smoke to enjoy it. I smoke to die." -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/she-smiled-with-all-the-delight-of-a-kid-on-christmas-morning-and/)

[John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/)

> [When they took me to do the camera test for the vampire make up, after they put the prosthetic on, I went though the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-benz/when-they-took-me-to-do-the-camera-test-for-the-vampire-make-up-after/)

[Julie Benz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-benz/)

> [“They didn't understand, it not being directed at them, what that smile could do. The power of it. It was like every time he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristen-ashley/they-didn-t-understand-it-not-being-directed-at-them-what-that-smile/)

[Kristen Ashley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristen-ashley/)

> [“Inej frowned. “I thought you and Nina chose four outbreak sites on the Staves.” Kaz straightened his cuffs. “I also had her stop at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/inej-frowned-i-thought-you-and-nina-chose-four-outbreak-sites-on-the/)

[Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/)

> [“Miss Craven held up a pair she thought would fit me—monstrous great things they were, of course, and I thought she smiled as she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-waters/miss-craven-held-up-a-pair-she-thought-would-fit-me-monstrous-great/)

[Sarah Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-waters/)

> [“That man had blond hair, all right, and he smiled and showed all his teeth.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gertrude-chandler-warner/that-man-had-blond-hair-all-right-and-he-smiled-and-showed-all-his/)

[Gertrude Chandler Warner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gertrude-chandler-warner/)

> [“Then, with one of his quick changes of mood, he smiled. “Yes, there’s one thing I do want. I want to be aware of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/then-with-one-of-his-quick-changes-of-mood-he-smiled-yes-there-s-one/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“Kurt smiled a shy smile. "You're just trying to cheer me up," he said. "Course I am," Andy said. "You deserve to be full…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cory-doctorow/kurt-smiled-a-shy-smile-you-re-just-trying-to-cheer-me-up-he-said/)

[Cory Doctorow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cory-doctorow/)

> [“He smiled sadly. "I was lost from the moment I saw you on Ovchinin Island. It took a long while for me to realize…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evelyn-skye/he-smiled-sadly-i-was-lost-from-the-moment-i-saw-you-on-ovchinin/)

[Evelyn Skye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evelyn-skye/)

> [He put his arms around her. “Well, in my defense, then, whatever I did seemed to work, didn't it?” She sighed. “I suppose.” “You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-sparks/he-put-his-arms-around-her-well-in-my-defense-then-whatever-i-did/)

[Nicholas Sparks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-sparks/)

> [“Have you ever done this before?" "Done what?" "Attacked two armed men with sticks?" "No, but I'm looking forward to it," he smiled.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lenahan/have-you-ever-done-this-before-done-what-attacked-two-armed-men-with/)

John Lenahan

> [“That’s it?” He smiled. “That’s it, unless you’d like to meet again sometime. Perhaps we could haggle over a dinner plate or a piece…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/becca-andre/that-s-it-he-smiled-that-s-it-unless-you-d-like-to-meet-again/)

Becca Andre

> [“Oh ... why not?' he smiled. "This valley is a pleasant spot for meditation. I like New England... it is here that I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/oh-why-not-he-smiled-this-valley-is-a-pleasant-spot-for-meditation-i/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

Browse all 1,165 Smiled quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“Face calm and composed, Kellan simply smiled. Taking that as an affirmative response, Tory twisted to face the elevator doors. Behind her back, Kellan flashed me a devilish smile, one that clearly said, Hell if I’m doing any of that.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "S.C. Stephens"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-c-stephens/face-calm-and-composed-kellan-simply-smiled-taking-that-as-an/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Smiled"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-c-stephens/face-calm-and-composed-kellan-simply-smiled-taking-that-as-an/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/44e/s-c-stephens-1131_smiled_face-calm-and-composed-kellan-simply-smi_273182.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/44e/s-c-stephens-1131_smiled_face-calm-and-composed-kellan-simply-smi_273182.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/44e/s-c-stephens-1131_smiled_face-calm-and-composed-kellan-simply-smi_273182.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Face calm and composed, Kellan simply smiled. Taking that as an affirmative response, Tory twisted to face…” — S.C. Stephens",
                "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": "S.C. Stephens",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-c-stephens/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“Face calm and composed, Kellan simply...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-c-stephens/face-calm-and-composed-kellan-simply-smiled-taking-that-as-an/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-c-stephens/face-calm-and-composed-kellan-simply-smiled-taking-that-as-an/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
