Choices Quotes in If I Stay

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #1

"Do you think she decides?"

"Decides what?"

Gramps looked uncomfortable. He shuffled his feet. "You know? Decides," he whispered. (9.1-9.3)

It takes nine chapters before the element of choice between life or death comes up. If Gran and Gramps hadn't had this conversation, would the idea have been planted in Mia's head?

Quote #2

How am I supposed to decide this? How can I possibly stay without Mom and Dad? How can I leave without Teddy? Or Adam? (9.15)

This line sets up the stakes for the book. If Mia loses Teddy, or if she doesn't get to see Adam, she might choose to die. But what is she waiting for, really? What is her thought process? Why does she need to see Adam? Is it to see if her feelings are real? To see if his feelings are real?

Quote #3

Why had [Adam] fallen for me? It didn't make sense. (9.46)

Not all the choices in the book are life-or-death ones. People make choices about who they date and hang out with, and Mia, who thinks she is an awkward weirdo, has no idea why super-cool Adam would choose her. As Dad later says, "sometimes the choices make you," so maybe it was fate?