Nicolas DiDomizio! You binch! This book is as much yours as it is mine, as I have bothered you with every single draft, revision, and edit since 2013—remember our first manuscript swap? It was the first time you met Chase! You’ve continued to believe in Chase’s story as it evolved and completely shifted gears more times than I can count, even when I was certain Chase would never have his day in the sun. Your friendship, guidance, and critiques are EVERYTHING, and I cherish you more than you’ll ever know. Thank you for being one of the greatest surprises and best friends I’ve ever known.

Jessica Verdi, I will NEVER stop thanking you for years of motivation and encouragement and time spent yanking me out the mud. Multiple times. You believed in Chase back in the How I Set Myself on Fire days, gave me so much hope, and never allowed me to give up. Much love, friend.

Jason June! Our friendship has meant so much to me over the past year. You have been an incredible source of comfort and support, and a great sounding board for all my ideas and life woes! I don’t know what I would have done during debut year without you! Thank you for being fiercely you. You inspire me beyond words.

For Becky Albertalli, the sweetest, most sincere and purely wonderful human who has ever walked this earth: Thank you for your friendship and support. You’ve given me so much love, and I’m constantly in awe of the good that you do. Thank you × 1,000,000!

To my family, who has believed in me every single step of the way and has cheered on me and my writing career, especially for Chase, I wouldn’t be where I am without you. Mom, Giselle, Carole, Dad, Sandy, Missy, Uncle Bobby, Chris, Christopher, Adriana, Marissa and Brian (and Huddy Buddy and Harper), Nikki and Kevin, Mike and Patti, Queen Maria, Samantha, Elizabeth, Melissa, Carolyn and Joe, Jenna and Mama Becky, Jackie Boobie, my Ithaca girls (Sylvia, Fallon, the 15-05 girls—Caite, Katlyn, Brea, Vera—Amanda, and Laura Blondiepants, who cheered on Chase back in 2006–2007), and everyone else I can’t possibly list but haven’t forgotten, I love you all.

Cheers to incredible new friends who were such invaluable support systems during my debut year: Jacob Demlow (my PBF partner-in-crime; you’re stuck with me, bestie), Charlie Murphy (I’ll never forget what you did for me and Carey Parker), Michael Araújo (your willingness to fight on my behalf always cheers me up), my Bloomsbury siblings Alex Richards and Phil Stamper (both of whom made me feel welcomed and supported). Dahlia Adler and Julian Winters for being the most incredible souls and supporting this book, and Anthony Nerada and PJ Vernon for being fabulous friends and allowing me space to vent! I would have been completely lost without each of you.