First of all, I want to extend a massive thank-you to my lovely readers. Whether you’ve been with me for years or just stumbled upon me recently, I appreciate you all the same. Your encouragement, fangirling, constructive criticism, and endless support have gotten me where I am today. This book wouldn’t exist without all of you!

I’m eternally grateful to the team at Wattpad for giving me this opportunity and to the platform itself for all that it’s brought into my life since I joined in 2012. I’ve met so many wonderful friends, connected with a slew of amazing writers, and most importantly, I’ve had a safe space to share my writing and foster my creativity. There’s a special kind of magic that comes with telling stories—it’s a chance to step into someone else’s shoes and live their life for a little while. I consider it a privilege, one that I probably wouldn’t have kept up with if it weren’t for Wattpad.

Thank you to the friends who helped me do the dang thing: Sarah, for being with the story since day one and supporting it since then without fail, for listening to me read chapters aloud and giving me advice, and for always managing to boost my writing confidence. Taylor, for being someone I greatly admire, for taking the time to look over the book in detail in the midst of your other projects, for answering all of my questions, and for putting up with my stream of shitposts and TikToks. Gabby, for constantly being such a delight even when the FaceTime connection is terrible (sorry), for being the number one Blackout hype girl, for listening to me whine about editing, and for being the first to offer to play Alina in the nonexistent movie adaptation (my people will call your people). Simone, for being my soul sister, for believing in this book even when I didn’t, for ranting with me whenever the need arises (which is often), and for being someone I will forever want to be more like.

To everyone else who’s shaped my writing and online experiences in a positive way: Patty, Shay, and Donovan (the surviving active members of the group chat), Brittany, Ann, Presley, Ivey, and Kate. You’ve all provided me with friendship, encouragement, and inspiration whether we talk all the time or have only had a handful of conversations.

To my sweet lifelong friends who’ve been there for me throughout all of this: Anna, Kenzie, and Sharmaine. You guys are the best. Thank you for being excited for me and for cheering me up when I couldn’t see the light at the end of the editing tunnel.