This is the best reason to learn history: not in order to predict the future, but to free yourself of the past and imagine alternative destinies. Of course this is not total freedom - we cannot avoid being shaped by the past. But some freedom is better than none.

SELF PORTRAIT: Throwing Armfuls of Air into the Air

Ronan's bedroom door burst open. Hanging on the door frame, Ronan leaned out to peer past Gansey. He was doing that thing where he looked like both the dangerous Ronan he was now and the cheerier Ronan he had been when Gansey first met him.Hold on, Gansey told Adam. Then, to Ronan: Why would he be?No reason. Just no reason. Ronan slammed his door.Gansey asked Adam, Sorry. You still have that suit for the party?Adam's response was buried in the sound of the second-story door falling open. Noah slouched in. In a wounded tone, he said, He threw me out the window!Ronan's voice sang out from behind his closed door: You're already dead!