Four Truths and a Lie (24 page)

“I don't want you to say anything, because I want to start over,” I say. I take a deep breath. “Just me and you. Not through writing stranger letters, not while I'm trying to manipulate my way through some dumb game, but just while we're trying to be ourselves.”

He looks relieved. “I was hoping we could do that, but then you started sending me all those blank notes, and I know my apology doesn't necessarily mean that much, but—”

“It's okay,” I say. I pull my feet up on the couch and curl them under me. I want to tell him that Crissa told me it wasn't his fault, that he really was looking out for me the whole time. But it's not about Crissa. It's just about James and me. “Let's just pretend we don't know each other… . So?” I say. “What's your favorite book, James?”

“
The Catcher in the Rye
,” he says. And then he smiles and reaches his hand out and wraps it around mine.

***

Monday morning in English, Miss Cardanelli announces that we're going to be writing to our secret stranger pen pals. And then I realize that I don't really have a secret stranger pen pal. I know James pretty well, especially after Friday night, when we stayed in the common room until midnight, when his bus left for BAFB, talking, laughing, and holding hands.

But I write him a note anyway.

Dear James,

I had fun Friday night at the “dance.” I'm sure that by the time you read this, we'll have already talked on the phone.

Talk soon,
Scarlett

And then, since the rest of the class is still writing their letters, I decide I should write another one. The one I should have been writing all along.

I pull out a fresh piece of paper.

Dear Dad,

How are you? Sorry I have not written or called, but things have been crazy. Things at my new school are good. I'm on the basketball team; did Mom tell you? It's going okay so far. Anyway, I was wondering if maybe you wanted to come and visit soon? I'd like to show you the school and introduce you to my friends.

Let me know.

Love,
Scarlett

I reread the letter, then put it in an envelope and seal it. It's not much, but it's a start. And if there's anything I've learned lately, it's that everyone deserves a fresh start and a second chance. I lean back in my seat and wait for everyone else to finish.

Acknowledgments

Thank you, thank you, thank you to:

Molly McGuire
, for taking this book all the way to Atlanta with her, and for her fabulous editorial guidance.

Kate Angelella,
for taking over with such enthusiasm, and not laughing at me when I told her the story of how I almost-not-really became a soccer player.

Alyssa Eisner Henkin,
for being everything I've ever wanted in an agent, and never being too busy to give me fab NYC restaurant suggestions.

My mom,
for always being there no matter what, and setting an example for the kind of person I want to be.

My dad,
for reading every single one of my books, even though he's totally not my target audience.

Krissi and Kelsey,
for making me laugh, being the best sisters anyone could ask for, and making me proud of the young women they're becoming.

Kevin Cregg,
for putting up with my craziness on an almost-daily basis for the past eleven years.

My new in-laws,
the Gorvines,
for being a “reading family” and always getting excited about my books.

My grandparents,
for being proud of me and bragging about my books to everyone and anyone who will listen.

And most of all,
everyone who read
The Secret Identity of Devon Delaney
and sent me an e-mail or Myspace message to let me know they loved it. You guys are awesome!