I nod and turn to stare at the air vent above me. This was a small thing. Maybe I would have done it a week ago, maybe not. I want so badly to be able to talk this one out with Kendall, I feel it burning bitter in my throat.
I want so badly for Kendall to come with me on this journey, I might need that barf bag.
To hell with what she said about not contacting her.
I start typing her a message as quickly as I can. A flight attendant is already starting down the aisle, making sure everyone’s devices are off.
A new character in the seat next to me, I write. Don’t know his name but I’m going to call him Hal. He’s crying. When I asked him if he was okay, he said he’s not but he will be. Not love, I don’t think. Maybe he lost someone. Maybe his grandmother at age 100.
I hit Send.
Come on, Kendall. If I get no reply, I’ll know she’s serious about not being in contact. I’ll respect it completely. The flight attendant is only a few rows away now.
Come on come on come on. Just one message, and I can take off along with the aircraft I’m inside. I would have everything I need.
“Sir,” comes the voice above me. “I need you to turn off your phone.”
“Oops! Sorry!” I say, like I forgot I had a phone at all. Shit, she’s actually going to stand there and watch me power it down. My finger goes to the button.
As it does, my phone wakes up. It vibrates and chirps.
I look down at the screen.
Someone’s sent me a picture. A photo of a page full of writing. I recognize it instantly as Kendall’s notebook. I see the words Dear Luna at the top.
My heart explodes.
And it all begins.
Acknowledgments
I’m so grateful to be able to type the words, “This is my fourth book with my editor Rosemary Brosnan.” I’m also typing other words to go with those, like “amazing,” “funny,” “smart as hell,” and simply, “she gets it.” I consider myself a very lucky writer-person.
I can’t imagine a better agent and friend to have as an advocate in this world than the tough, sweet, ever-savvy Jamie Weiss Chilton. She would be my number-one gym-class team pick every time.
My experience at the Kindling Words East retreat was pivotal in figuring out what I was doing with this story. Thank you, Alison James and Tanya Lee Stone, for giving writers and illustrators of children’s literature this opportunity to fan the flame and reconnect with the joy of what we do.
Much appreciation to Courtney Stevenson and Jessica MacLeish of the HarperCollins crew. And yikes, Heather Daugherty! You did it again with a brilliant book cover!
Love always to the friends and family who support me unconditionally, especially Bill, Sadie, Clea, Mom, Dad, and Squash the cat. (I’ve never put a pet in my acknowledgments before but let me tell you, this one deserves it.)
To the readers, librarians, and teachers who have, even briefly, made my books part of their lives or work: thank you for that kindness. It’s a big one for me. I hope what I write is a kindness of its own to you, in whatever form you need.
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About the Author
Photo by Juliet Lofaro
JENNIFER CASTLE is the author of The Beginning of After, You Look Different in Real Life, and What Happens Now. The Beginning of After was named a YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults selection and a Chicago Public Library “Best of the Best” Books for Teens selection. Jennifer lives with her husband and two young daughters in New York’s Hudson Valley.
www.jennifercastle.com
Discover great authors, exclusive offers, and more at hc.com.
Books by Jennifer Castle
The Beginning of After
You Look Different in Real Life
Playing Keira
What Happens Now
Together at Midnight
Credits
Cover art by Beatrix Boros
Cover design and hand lettering by Heather Daugherty
Copyright
HarperTeen is an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.
TOGETHER AT MIDNIGHT. Copyright © 2018 by Jennifer Castle. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the nonexclusive, nontransferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse-engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins e-books.
www.epicreads.com
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ISBN 978-0-06-225051-3
EPub Edition © January 2018 ISBN 9780062250544
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FIRST EDITION
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