his head was pounding so loudly that all he could hear was a dull , painful thump in his ears . and at this desperate time , noble hearts such as yours are hard . fourteen , he says , sitting up a little , like its going to make him taller , let alone older . i 'm really just looking for someone to get me off a few times a week and that 's it . although she tried not to be hopeful , she could n't help looking for a response from cliff . 