--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: And so, while the rest of the world went…" description: "\"And so, while the rest of the world went on unaware, drinking their coffee, reading the sports page, and picking up their dry cleaning, I leaned forwar..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffa/sarah-dessen-110_choices_and-so-while-the-rest-of-the-world-went_3010096.png" --- # And so, while the rest of the world went on unaware… ![“And so, while the rest of the world went on unaware, drinking their coffee, reading the sports page, and picking up their dry cleaning, I leaned forward and kissed Dexter, making a choice that would change everything. Maybe somewhere there was a ripple, a bit of jump, some small shift in the…” quote by Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffa/sarah-dessen-110_choices_and-so-while-the-rest-of-the-world-went_3010096.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffa/sarah-dessen-110_choices_and-so-while-the-rest-of-the-world-went_3010096.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffa/sarah-dessen-110_choices_and-so-while-the-rest-of-the-world-went_3010096.png) > “And so, while the rest of the world went on unaware, drinking their coffee, reading the sports page, and picking up their dry cleaning, I leaned forward and kissed Dexter, making a choice that would change everything. Maybe somewhere there was a ripple, a bit of jump, some small shift in the universe, barely noticeable. I didn’t feel it then. I felt only him kissing me back, easing me into the sunlight as I lost myself in the taste of him and felt the world go on, just as it always had, all around us.” [Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-dessen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A spontaneous kiss becomes a pivotal, almost imperceptible moment that subtly shifts the protagonist’s life trajectory. **In simple terms:** A kiss changes everything. Key Takeaway Embrace unexpected connections. Themes romance choice life change Mood hopeful intimate Type literary personal When to use this quote - first dates - personal turning points - storytelling Key Concepts narrative causality psychology of love Questions to Reflect On - What small moments have altered your path? - How do you recognize subtle life shifts? A Different Perspective Impact may be overstated. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Choices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choices/) [Coffee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/coffee/) [Drinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/drinking/) [Dry cleaning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dry-cleaning/) [Kissing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kissing/) [Making a choice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/making-a-choice/) [Reading](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reading/) [Ripple](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ripple/) [Sports](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sports/) [Sunlight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sunlight/) [Universe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/universe/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [“The impatience you felt before kissing someone you liked wasn't nearly as bad as the impatience you felt afterward.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claudia-gray/the-impatience-you-felt-before-kissing-someone-you-liked-wasn-t/) [Claudia Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claudia-gray/) > [He's getting dumped. And he doesn't even know it yet. He's probably eating a cheeseburger or flossing or picking up his dry cleaning, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-dessen/he-s-getting-dumped-and-he-doesn-t-even-know-it-yet-he-s-probably/) [Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-dessen/) > [“But you, fine sir." John Miller clapped Dexter on the shoulder, a bit unsteadily. "You have problems of your own." "This is true," Dexter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-dessen/but-you-fine-sir-john-miller-clapped-dexter-on-the-shoulder-a-bit/) [Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-dessen/) > [“What the hell," I said, pushing off the wall, ready to take off the head of whatever stupid salesperson had decided to get cozy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-dessen/what-the-hell-i-said-pushing-off-the-wall-ready-to-take-off-the-head/) [Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-dessen/) > [“Oh, God," I said. "No, it's Dexter," he replied, offering me his hand, which I ignored. He glanced behind him, then back at me.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-dessen/oh-god-i-said-no-it-s-dexter-he-replied-offering-me-his-hand-which-i/) [Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-dessen/) > [“Don't you give me no rotten tomato," Dexter sang, "just 'cause to your crazy shit I cannot relate-o.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-dessen/don-t-you-give-me-no-rotten-tomato-dexter-sang-just-cause-to-your/) [Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-dessen/) > [very quietly, I heard a voice in my ear.It said, in a weird, cheesy, right-out-of-one-of-my-mother’s-novels way, “Ah. Wemeet again.” I turned my head, just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-dessen/very-quietly-i-heard-a-voice-in-my-ear-it-said-in-a-weird-cheesy/) [Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-dessen/) > [Remy: Did you really believe, that first day, that we were meant to be together? Dexter: You're here, aren't you?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-dessen/remy-did-you-really-believe-that-first-day-that-we-were-meant-to-be/) [Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-dessen/) > [“Plastic ware," he said slowly, "like knives and forks and spoons?" I brushed a bit of dirt off the back of my car—was that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-dessen/plastic-ware-he-said-slowly-like-knives-and-forks-and-spoons-i/) [Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-dessen/) > [“You know what they say about mistakes though,' she said, all breathy and half-lipsy. 'It's the only way you ever learn anything.' And she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabrielle-williams/you-know-what-they-say-about-mistakes-though-she-said-all-breathy-and/) [Gabrielle Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabrielle-williams/) > [“She leaned forward and kissed me on the lips. Her mouth was cold, her lips rough from the winter wind, and if the mystics…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-benioff/she-leaned-forward-and-kissed-me-on-the-lips-her-mouth-was-cold-her/) [David Benioff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-benioff/) > [“And will you come with me? On this adventure - and all the rest?" Rhys leaned forward and kissed me. "Always.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/and-will-you-come-with-me-on-this-adventure-and-all-the-rest-rhys/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“He murmured her name, tenderly taking her face in his hands. “I love you,” he said, his voice low and fervent. “I love you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-quinn/he-murmured-her-name-tenderly-taking-her-face-in-his-hands-i-love-you/) [Julia Quinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-quinn/) > [My pulse whooshed in my ears so fast I could barely hear myself speak. “I only have—” “Two days.” He squeezed my hand. “So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-vincent/my-pulse-whooshed-in-my-ears-so-fast-i-could-barely-hear-myself-speak/) [Rachel Vincent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-vincent/) > [“Without realizing what she was doing and more on an impulse than anything else, she leaned forward and kissed him. It was a simple,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fanney/without-realizing-what-she-was-doing-and-more-on-an-impulse-than/) [Robert Fanney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fanney/) ## More by Sarah Dessen > [Sometimes a question can hurt more than an answer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-dessen/sometimes-a-question-can-hurt-more-than-an-answer/) [Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-dessen/) > [“if i were a book i would be so open”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-dessen/if-i-were-a-book-i-would-be-so-open/) [Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-dessen/) > [Harder to get in than out, like so little else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-dessen/harder-to-get-in-than-out-like-so-little-else/) [Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-dessen/) > [“At times, I found myself questioning his very existence, even though I knew I had, in fact, spotted him, with my own eyes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-dessen/at-times-i-found-myself-questioning-his-very-existence-even-though-i/) [Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-dessen/) > [You don't have to say it out loud. I already know why you like me.' 'You do, huh?' 'Yep.' He wrapped his arms around…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-dessen/you-don-t-have-to-say-it-out-loud-i-already-know-why-you-like-me-you/) [Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-dessen/) > [No relationship is perfect, ever. There are always some ways you have to bend, to compromise, to give something up in order to gain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-dessen/no-relationship-is-perfect-ever-there-are-always-some-ways-you-have/) [Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-dessen/) > [When you had to do something, you had to do it. And eventually, if you were lucky, you did it well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-dessen/when-you-had-to-do-something-you-had-to-do-it-and-eventually-if-you/) [Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-dessen/) > [the truth about forever is that it is happening right now](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-dessen/the-truth-about-forever-is-that-it-is-happening-right-now/) [Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-dessen/) > [I jammed my hand in my jacket pocket, bracing myself fo the next hit, and fel something. Something grainy and samll, sticking to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-dessen/i-jammed-my-hand-in-my-jacket-pocket-bracing-myself-fo-the-next-hit/) [Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-dessen/) > [I had no illusions about love anymore. It came, it went, it left casualties or it didn't. People weren't meant to be together forever,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-dessen/i-had-no-illusions-about-love-anymore-it-came-it-went-it-left/) [Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-dessen/) > [“But maybe that isn't so bad. You can't love anyone that way more than once in a lifetime. It's too hard and it hurts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-dessen/but-maybe-that-isn-t-so-bad-you-can-t-love-anyone-that-way-more-than/) [Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-dessen/) > [This was just one night, one chance to vary and see where it took me. The fireflies were probably already out: maybe it wasn’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-dessen/this-was-just-one-night-one-chance-to-vary-and-see-where-it-took-me/) [Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-dessen/) > [call it chicken salad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-dessen/call-it-chicken-salad/) [Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-dessen/) > [“For me, however, it was a mix of the two, this constant push and pull. I loved it here. But I'd been in that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-dessen/for-me-however-it-was-a-mix-of-the-two-this-constant-push-and-pull-i/) [Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-dessen/) > [I think whenever a writer is really enjoying themselves and liking what they are doing, that shows on the page.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-dessen/i-think-whenever-a-writer-is-really-enjoying-themselves-and-liking/) [Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-dessen/) [Explore all 1,251 Sarah Dessen quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-dessen/) ## More Choices quotes > [Of all the people who have affected my life and influenced the choices I've made, none has been more important than my father. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teddy-atlas/of-all-the-people-who-have-affected-my-life-and-influenced-the/) [Teddy Atlas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teddy-atlas/) > [“Don’t allow anyone to pressure you into taking a job in a field that doesn’t feel right in your gut. You are the one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alison-james/don-t-allow-anyone-to-pressure-you-into-taking-a-job-in-a-field-that/) Alison James > [When you have a choice, choose happy!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pancho-barnes/when-you-have-a-choice-choose-happy/) Pancho Barnes > [By making conscious choices in our behavior and where we focus our attention, we can transform our experience of our body, decrease our biological…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/by-making-conscious-choices-in-our-behavior-and-where-we-focus-our/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [Movies have power. Power to impact society and the choices we make. I want to entertain, but I also want to say something to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-prince-bythewood/movies-have-power-power-to-impact-society-and-the-choices-we-make-i/) [Gina Prince-Bythewood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-prince-bythewood/) > [If you have a different mindset, you will have a different outcome: if you make different choices from your peers, your life will then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-ma/if-you-have-a-different-mindset-you-will-have-a-different-outcome-if/) [Jack Ma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-ma/) > [Personally, I prefer contemporary films, but the market calls for more period choices, especially since China opened up a cinema market in Hong Kong.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donnie-yen/personally-i-prefer-contemporary-films-but-the-market-calls-for-more/) [Donnie Yen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donnie-yen/) > [Clarissa," he said, "here with the vampire, I see. When things have settled a bit, we really must discuss you choice in pets..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/clarissa-he-said-here-with-the-vampire-i-see-when-things-have-settled/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Change is inevitable but personal growth is a choice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-proctor/change-is-inevitable-but-personal-growth-is-a-choice/) [Bob Proctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-proctor/) > [Time hath not yet so dried this blood of mine, Nor age so eat up my invention, Nor fortune made such havoc of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/time-hath-not-yet-so-dried-this-blood-of-mine-nor-age-so-eat-up-my/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [If you choose to draw from the inner well of free will, then you can make choices that are outside your current karmic patterns.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/if-you-choose-to-draw-from-the-inner-well-of-free-will-then-you-can/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Act always so as to increase the number of choices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heinz-von-foerster/act-always-so-as-to-increase-the-number-of-choices/) [Heinz von Foerster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heinz-von-foerster/) > [Give me a platter of choice finnan haddie, freshly cooked in its bath of water and milk, add melted butter, a slice or two…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-claiborne/give-me-a-platter-of-choice-finnan-haddie-freshly-cooked-in-its-bath/) [Craig Claiborne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-claiborne/) > [I don't know that any woman could ever not think about that at some point - even making the choice not to do it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-watts/i-don-t-know-that-any-woman-could-ever-not-think-about-that-at-some/) [Naomi Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-watts/) > [In this choice of inheritance we have given to our frame of polity the image of a relation in blood; binding up the constitution…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-burke/in-this-choice-of-inheritance-we-have-given-to-our-frame-of-polity/) [Edmund Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-burke/) [Browse all 11,466 Choices quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choices/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "And so, while the rest of the world went on unaware, drinking their coffee, reading the sports page, and picking up their dry cleaning, I leaned forward and kissed Dexter, making a choice that would change everything. Maybe somewhere there was a ripple, a bit of jump, some small shift in the universe, barely noticeable. I didn’t feel it then. 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