“Driving without a permit? That counts?”
Andy smiles down at me. “Sure does.”
“Would I be arrested or fined?”
“A police officer would issue you a written citation, and you wouldn’t be allowed to take the license test until you turn eighteen. I looked it up after I let you drive my car in the Towne Center parking lot. Did you have any other last-minute, unachieved high school aspirations besides breaking a law?”
I shake my head, but not too fast, because I don’t want to mess up my hair. “No.”
“Then you’re good. Can we still meet Ben and Jana in front of the sign? I want my name penciled next to as many list items as possible.”
“The list is what brought us together.”
“You credit the list, not Colette, who fixed the Senior Superlative vote or our previous twelve years of mutual respect and admiration?”
“Huh?”
“Sorry. Too many words?”
“It’s prom night, Andy. Can we cool it with the nerd talk for a few hours?”
“Only if you’re prepared to publicly proclaim your affection.”
“Sure, whatever. Let’s do it,” I agree. I text Jana to let her know about our change in plans. We pull up in front of school just as the fiery sun sinks behind the building, pulling what’s left of daylight below the horizon.
“We’re finishing this with two weeks to spare,” I announce, removing the dog-eared, crumpled paper from Aunt Tina’s silver evening bag.
“Yeah, now the real slacking off begins,” Jana says. “Total senioritis. Do you want to go first?”
“Let’s do it together. All four of us,” I say.
“I’m not kissing Kosolowski,” Ben insists.
“Only me, baby,” Jana promises, attaching herself to his lips.
While the two of them are otherwise occupied, I stretch up on my tiptoes and circle my arms around Andy’s neck. A prom-bound car filled with our friends passes by and honks. Andy tenses his shoulders and starts to pull back. I lock my arms around him and kiss him as if letting go would mean the end of humanity as we know it. When my knees start to buckle, he lifts me in his arms.
“Reputation ruined,” he says, with a wicked grin.
“This was your suggestion,” I remind him and press my lips to his once more. “Besides, the only way to prove your love is real is to kiss me twice.”
Fill It In – Your Awesome Achievements
1. Break a School Rule – Sadie & Jana Cut Homeroom!
2. Serve My First Detention - Sadie
3. Star in the School Play – Sadie & Jana are Audrey II
4. Pass Driver’s Ed – Sadie & Jana
5. Kiss Two Boys in One Night - Sadie
6. Ride in Dominic Altomeri’s Stingray — Jana
7. Break a Law – Sadie Drives Without a Permit
8. Score a Varsity Letter – Mathletes Champs! (Mostly thanks to Andy)
9. Convince Mr. Drum to get into a car with you — Sadie
10. Kiss Shy Ben In Public — Jana
11. Fall in Love — Jana & Ben, Sadie & Andy
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Writing has always made me happy. When I decided to seriously try to write a book, I never expected to meet so many readers and writers who would be willing to offer advice or read my work. Thanks to everyone who supported me.
Specifically, I need to thank an amazing writer and friend, Theresa Hernandez, for sticking with this story from beginning to end and every iteration in between. Your feedback and encouragement kept me going through the many ups and downs of the writing process. Sadie & Jana wouldn’t exist without you.
Thanks to my friend Audrey for reading and loving everything I write. Everyone needs an Audrey in their life. And thanks to the other many writers, readers, critique partners, friends, and relatives who also contributed to my story. Special thanks to Karole, Sally, Natalia, Carrie, and Dawn for reading and critiquing. Also thanks to my Philly critique group for helping me with my final round of revisions. Thanks to Pat Calvert, my teacher. I needed honest feedback and you gave it to me with gusto. I still hear you in my head reminding me to loosen up my dialogue.
I also want to thank Mom and Dad for turning off the television and encouraging us to read. To my sisters Amy and Maria and my brothers, Gerard and Nick, thanks for letting me bounce ideas off you and for always being willing to talk about books. And thanks to my sister-in-laws Eileen and Genevieve, for offering their expert advice and unwavering support.
Thanks to my husband Dean for not laughing too hard when I told him I was giving up my business career to be a writer. Also, for making the adjustments we needed to make to help my dream come true. A shout out goes to my kids, Dean, Matthew, and Kristen for always insisting I’m the best writer in the world.
I’d also like to send my appreciation to the Hernandez kids, Mattea, Noah, and Grayson, for supplying the teen feedback this book needed and helping me come up with a cool title.
Thanks to my Sixteen to Read debut author friends. Sharing this experience with you has been wonderfully uplifting. I’m eternally grateful for your support and encouragement.
Thanks to everyone at Georgia McBride Media Group for their input and advice. You made my book better with each suggestion and correction. And finally, thanks to Georgia McBride for emailing me at midnight to tell me she wanted me to publish my book. Yes, I was awake, and it was one of the most fun emails I’ve ever gotten. Thanks for supporting so many yet-to-be published writers.
JENNIFER DIGIOVANNI
Jennifer is a freelance writer and YA author. When she’s not writing, you can find her reading, working on home design projects, or trying to meet her daily goals on her Fitbit. My Senior Year of Awesome is her first novel.
OTHER SWOON ROMANCE TITLES YOU MIGHT LIKE
RIVAL DREAMS
LIFE IN THE NO-DATING ZONE
EFFORTLESS WITH YOU
Find more awesome teen romance books at http://www.myswoonromance.com/
Connect with Swoon Romance online:
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/swoonromance
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SwoonRomance
You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/swoonromance
Instagram: https://instagram.com/swoonromance/
Request review copies via [email protected]
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Acknowledgements
About the Author
Other Swoon Romance Titles You Might Like
My Senior Year of Awesome Page 19
