Before You
Page 24
Just go, just go, just go.
I’m not quick enough.
“Wait,” he says again, grabbing my arm lightly.
Five fingers that burn memories into my skin.
I turn to the sound of his voice.
“Javier,” I say, choking on his name. Choking on the memories.
Me and Faith, my best friend. At this same beach. Months ago.
Javier and his cousin Diego, in the water. Faith needed to get Diego’s attention. Faith needed Diego in so many ways. I needed to know what Javier’s mouth tasted like. I told myself that it’d be fun.
Love was Faith’s style. Fun was mine.
I try to shut out the memory. Can’t.
Javier’s lips were every bit as amazing as I’d thought. Plump and gentle and rough and perfect.
We never did more than that. Never talked about the fun day at the beach. Never pursued what we left behind.
I never told him that I’ve wanted him ever since.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I got the idea for Before You while reflecting on my younger years. So for that, I thank my hometowns, Orlando and Atlanta. You are both strangely beautiful cities—diverse and unique and even harsh at times, but you are mine.
Endless gratitude goes out to the ladies who were there from the start: Jenn Sy and Genevieve Gagne-Hawes. Jenn, your friendship is invaluable, and I can only hope to one day shine as bright as you. Genevieve, your friendship makes me a stronger writer and a better human being. To you both, forever hugs. And fudge. Always fudge.
Thank you to Dan Lazar—the first agent to read this manuscript—for calling my words lovely. And an even bigger thank-you to my amazing agent, Beth Miller, for inhaling this story, for supporting and believing in my words, and for every e-mail, call, and moment that led up to this. Writers House, you are truly the best home an author can ask for.
To the publishing team at KTeen, especially Alicia Condon, I am so grateful that you love Faith and Diego as much as I do. Your enthusiasm and energy made Before You possible.
Dad, thanks for buying me all those books as a kid, even though I read each one in a day. I never remember a time when I asked for just one more and you told me no. There wasn’t such a thing as too many books. I still remember out trips to the library, too, my home of sorts. It was my favorite childhood place, and my favorite person to be there with was you.
The biggest thanks of all goes to my family. You are my everything. Each breath, every second, is all for you. I love you.
R, your Spanish made this book beautiful. I will forever cherish the moments we spent between pages. And every moment after that.
And finally, for the readers out there who know what it’s like to have their wings broken, to live a tough life, to wonder if hope is real . . . this is for you.
READER QUESTIONS
Both Faith and Diego begin their journey by running from their pasts. How important is it to overcome past obstacles? Is there anything in your past that troubles you still?
From the start, misfortune finds Diego. What would you do if a gang approached you for initiation? Do you agree with Diego’s decision to fight the gang members? Would you have handled the situation differently?
Faith doesn’t learn about the gang, or Diego’s past involvement with a cartel, right away. Diego chooses to keep that from Faith to protect her. Just as Diego joined the cartel to protect and provide for his family. To what lengths would you go to protect and provide for the ones you love? Is there such a thing as too far?
Diego is judged by his appearance—tattoos, scars, ethnicity. Likewise, Faith is judged by the appearance she projects—top student, daughter of a pastor, conservative clothes. How important are appearances? What are your thoughts on stereotypes?
Cultural differences show throughout the book. Do you think culture shapes a person? What do you think of the scene where Diego shows Faith the Cuban market? Is it important to learn about other cultures? Should culture ever be a barrier between people?
The loss of a parent is something no teen should have to face, but many do. Faith never knows what became of her mom. Do you think this is a good or bad thing? Can it possibly be both? And what about Diego’s mom? Do you think having closure makes letting go any easier?
Faith turned to drugs to numb her emotional pain. What would you do if someone offered you drugs? What if you were like Melissa and knew someone struggling with drugs? Would you get them help?
In the end, Diego is offered a second chance at a clean life, and Faith decides to help people in underprivileged countries. Do you believe Diego deserves a second chance? How can you help those in need?
Though they both have difficult pasts, despite the fact that they’ve made mistakes, through their cultural differences, Faith and Diego fall in love. What does love mean to you? Do you think that their dream of a brighter future is possible? What does it mean to fly on broken wings?
KTEEN BOOKS are published by
Kensington Publishing Corp.
119 West 40th Street
New York, NY 10018
Copyright © 2014 Amber Hart
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.
KENSINGTON and the KTeen logo are Reg. U.S. Pat. & TM Off.
ISBN: 978-1-6177-3116-7
First electronic edition: August 2014
ISBN-13: 978-1-61773-117-4
ISBN-10: 1-61773-117-X