I look past him to his parents, who are older than any other parents from our class.

“So you might be my neighbor?” I ask. “Well, sort of my neighbor. I’m just one house down.”

“Looks like it,” he says with a grin.

The thought of Greg sleeping in the same room that used to be my second bedroom sets my cheeks aflame. “Cool.” My voice squeaks.

He nods. “Very cool.”

“I’ll see you around, then?” I ask.

“Definitely. And there’s seventh-grade graduation tomorrow night too.”

“Oh yeah. You’re right. I’ll see you then.” And I’m not even dreading it, because Mom actually found the dress I liked at Levine’s online and in my size.

I walk past Miss Flora Mae’s and give her two big thumbs up, and she gives me a devilish grin in return. We officially start on Sweet Pea’s Corner next week. Miss Flora Mae even said I’ll get paid! Not much, but more than my weekly allowance.

Before I go inside to collapse on the couch in the dark, cool living room, I check the mail.

One envelope sits inside. The outside is blank. No stamp or anything. Just an envelope that someone must have put in my mailbox themselves. I rest my bike against the fence and neatly tear open the envelope.

Dear Sweet Pea, the letter reads. I could use your advice . . .

Author’s Note

Dear Reader,

Unlike Sweet Pea’s letters, what I’m writing today is not about a dilemma waiting to be solved. Instead, I am overflowing with gratitude for all the people who helped make my piles of words into a book. If you can spare me just one more letter, I’d like to take a minute to say thank you.

Thank you to my editor, Alessandra Balzer, who guided me and cheered me on as I ventured out into the unknown world of middle grade. Thank you for being Cheese’s biggest and most loyal fan.

John Cusick, thank you for your friendship and agenting prowess. A huge shout-out to everyone at Folio for all you do to keep the engines running behind the scenes!

I’m proud to call HarperCollins home, and the best part about Harper will always be the people. I owe so many of you endless gratitude for your faith in me and tireless work on my behalf. Thank you to Suzanne Murphy, Donna Bray, Andrea Pappenheimer, Kerry Moynagh, Kathy Faber, Patty Rosati, Ann Dye, Nellie Kurtzman, Robby Imfeld, Stephanie Macy, Lindsay Karl, Cindy Hamilton, Sari Murray, Liz Byer, Alison Donalty, Jenna Stempel-Lobell, Caitlin Johnson, Caitlin Garing, the HCC team, and the Harper360 team.

Thank you to Dana Spector, my favorite Hollywood insider and fellow INTJ!

I’d be a whole lump of nothing without the folks who read this book early on and offered their invaluable feedback. Thank you to Dhonielle Clayton, Bethany Hagen, Mark Oshiro, and Natalie C. Parker. I’m so proud to count you as peers and friends.

In addition to my early readers, I’m lucky to have so many friends who are quick to offer a listening ear and much encouragement. I would like to especially thank Kristin Treviño, Tessa Gratton, Molly Cusick, Justina Ireland, Zoraida Cordova, Luke and Lauren Brewer (and all of Union Worx!), Corey Whaley, John Stickney, Ashley Meredith, Kristin Hahn, Veronica Treviño, Paul Samples, Emma Treviño, and Ashley Lindemann.