Sharon Cherski quotes from My So-Called Life

Sharon

Krakow, this is when people need the helpline, okay? People get so stressed over this holiday stuff, they experience actual symptoms of depression, or whatever. Like, total helplessness and despair. And, like, loss of appetite, or whatever.

Sharon

Why do girls have to tear each other down?

Angela

I guess 'cause they're jealous. I mean, I was. Of you. For having what you have.

Sharon

Do you know how many times this week I wished I had what you had?

Angela

But I don't have anything!

Sharon

Exactly.

Angela

Well, this really makes sense.

Sharon

I guess it just all boils down to what they used to drill into us at Girl Scouts.

Angela

What, sell more cookies?

Sharon

No! No, you know -- um...'What you are is' -- no, wait: 'What your gift is --'

Angela

Oh! No: 'What you have is God's gift to you, and what you do with what you have is your gift to God.'

So why are you here? You the new substitute?

Why am I here? Yeah, good question. I'm the new substitute, yes. I'm here quite simply to get paid. Assuming all of you can read and write, I don't perceive any emergency situation. That's all. Continue wasting your lives. [he pulls a folded newspaper out of his knapsack]

Sharon

So, um...are we like, dismissed?

Do you want to be dismissed?

Sharon

No, you just said that...you just said that was all you had to say, so...

I will be here for the next forty-seven minutes. Whether you will also be here for that time is, to be candid, your decision.

Jordan

What's the catch?

No catch. If you don't want to be here, go. I'm not gonna stop you. [Jordan immediately climbs out of his desk and heads for the door] Well, you know, there is just, you know, one catch. We will be discussing you in your absence, but you know, if you don't mind that...

Jordan

Yeah, right.

Oh, it's no joke. I have no lesson planned. Trashing you in your absence will help, uh, pass the time. Right? It could, uh, possibly be educational as well.

Angela

So what are we supposed to do?

Ah, I've known you all of five minutes and you want me to tell you what you're supposed to do? Fine. Follow your hearts and veer away from heroin.

Angela

[laughs] No, I meant in the next forty-seven minutes.

I know what you meant, that was sarcasm.

Sharon

What.

Rayanne

So have you and Kyle gone all the way yet?

Sharon

That is. Completely. None of your business.

Rayanne

Duh. We aren't friends, due to the fact that neither of us can stand each other. And that's why I asked. Ask me me anything. Go ahead -- it's like, relaxing.

Sharon

You're so weird.

Rayanne

Duh squared.

Sharon

Okay. Look. I made a solemn promise to myself. That I would not go all the way until I was ready. And I'm, like. Sticking to that.

Rayanne

Well, it sure looks like you are reaching ecstasy when you and Kyle make out in the hall.

Sharon

Well, yeah! Well, I mean...well, you know how it is.

Rayanne

Well, yeah, in a way. I mean it's fun and all, but I don't always feel anything. Sometimes I feel numb, or something.

Sharon

Maybe you just...haven't found the right person.

Rayanne

I've tried every type of person. [Sharon stares at her] You don't have to look all worried or anything.

Sharon

Why can't you even be nice to me?!

Angela

[shouting] Why do you need me to be nice to you, since everyone else in the world is?!

Sharon

It's not like that...You are the one person I needed it most from.

Sharon

My father almost died. And you were the only person who didn't even seem to care, people I barely knew, were coming up to me all like, concerned, and you, you acted like you barely even knew me.

Angela

[Beginning to cry] I know, I know I acted like that. I just didn't know what else to do.. I knew I was the last person on earth you wanted to deal with..

Sharon

[Beginning to cry] You were, the only, person, I wanted to deal with..

Angela

[Crying] I wanted to talk to you too, it just seemed like, you wanted help from everyone but me!

Sharon

I was, really scared.

Angela

I was too. [They hug]

Sharon

[Crying] I know, I know we have different friends now, but sometimes I miss you so much!

Angela

Me too..

Sharon

It really, hurt.

Angela

[Smiling, and offering hand like when they were young] Squeeze my hand as hard as it hurts..

Sharon

[voiceover] I resolve to never again have sex with Kyle, or anyone, again, unless I really love and respect them.

[voiceover]... to spend more time with the dog, and Sharon.

[voiceover] ... um, give up coffee, there, that's an easy one.

Brian

[voiceover] I resolve to stop obsessing over Angela Chase.

Danielle

[voiceover] ... to badger Mom into letting me wear make-up.

Rickie

[voiceover] ... to find some place where I like really, belong.

Rayanne

[voiceover] ... to stop drinking, but this time, like, really stop.

Patty

[voiceover] I resolve to be less judgmental, less critical, to lighten up! And above all, to be more supportive, and less suspicious. [about Graham] No matter how much it seems like he's hiding something.

Graham

[voiceover] ... to tell Hallie Lowenthal once and for all that I'm not going into restaurant business with her... And to stop all those long talks with her after class.