The New Guy (And Other Senior Year Distractions) (Preview)

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Little, Brown and Company
New York Boston
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8/26/15 3:13:22 PM
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This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the
product of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to
actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.
Copyright 2016 by Amy Spalding
Want 2 B Ur Boy lyrics 2016 Christie Baugher
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All rights reserved. In accordance with the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, the scanning,
uploading, and electronic sharing of any part of this book without the permission
of the publisher is unlawful piracy and theft of the authors intellectual property. If you
would like to use material from the book (other than for review purposes), prior written
permission must be obtained by contacting the publisher at permissions@hbgusa.com.
Thank you for your support of the authors rights.
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Poppy
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Hachette Book Group

1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10104
Visit us at lbteens.com
Poppy is an imprint of Little, Brown and Company.
The Poppy name and logo are trademarks of Hachette Book Group, Inc.
The publisher is not responsible for websites (or their content) that are not owned
by the publisher.
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First Edition: April 2016
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[CIP to come]
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RRDC
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Printed in the United States of America
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To my friend Nadia Osman
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Every day I C U in the hall
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C U drinking coffee @ the mall
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Every day I fall and fall
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More in <3 with U
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But each time I C U passing by
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I get tongue-tied cuz Im way 2 shy
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Ur so special and I dont know Y
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I just cant say 2 U
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Want 2 B Ur Boy
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Want 2 C U smile
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Want 2 hold Ur hand
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And hang out 4 a while
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Want 2 B the 1
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Ur 2 good 2 B true
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Hope U want me 2 B Ur boy 2
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Chaos 4 All, Want 2 B Ur Boy
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Chapter One
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Even though its only the second day of my senior year, the
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routines familiar. When a new student starts at Eagle Vista
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Academy, one of us gives them a quick tour and at least the
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illusion of a friendly face in the crowd. The school is expen
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sive, so I think the Reception Committee is an attempt to
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make new kids tell their parents they were warmly welcomed.
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Parents therefore immediately feel like they got their moneys
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worth.
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I joined the Reception Committee when I was a freshman,
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so Ive done this more times than I can count. Im notified a
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day in advance to be at the guidance office before first period
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begins, and when I show up, I get the new students schedule.
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But this morning is not like any of the other mornings.
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To be fair, it wasnt to begin with. We have our first meet
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ing of the Crest after school, and Mr. Wheeler will announce
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whos been selected as newspaper editor in chief. If its not
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me...
well, I cant think about that outcome right now.
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Needless to say, Im in no shape to be the best possible liaison
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a new student deserves.
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Much less this new student.
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Though maybe it isnt him. There must be other Alex Pow
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ells besides the Alex Powell.
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Ms. Guillory, the guidance administrator, clears her
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throat. I look over to her and realize I may have been zoning
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out for more than a split second.
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Of course we pride ourselves on all students enjoying an
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excellent but typical high school experience here, she says.
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But with some students, its important we pay special atten
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tion to that.
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I know then that it is the Alex Powell.
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Ill be back on time, I promise her as I dash out of the
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office. Luckily my best friend, Sadie, is at her locker when I
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run up.
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You look panicked, she says.
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Look at this. I hold up my liaison packet right in her face.
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Look at it, Sadie. Dont read it out loud, but look at it.
Oh my god, she says. The packets still in her face, so
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shes a little muffled. Alex Powell.
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I said not to read it out loud.
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Jules, you should know I cant follow a command like that.
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Wait, so do we know if its the Alex Powell?

Stop saying his name, I whisper. And, yes. I think so, at
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least. I dont have one hundred percent confirmation yet.

Can you imagine? Sadie checks her reflection in her
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locker mirror and fluffs her violet hair. One day youre one-
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fifth of the biggest boy band in the country, and t henhow
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many years later? Two?
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Two, I say. Two years ago, it felt as if you couldnt go any
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where without hearing Want 2 B Ur Boy. Two years ago,
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everyone knew Chaos 4 All. Two years ago, Alex Powell was
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famous.
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Jules, this is a big responsibility, Sadie says. You are wel

coming a teen idol to our school.
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Hes not a teen idol anymore, I say. Thered been at least
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a couple of songs after Want 2 B Ur Boy, but they hadnt
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been so universally beloved. And then it was like Chaos 4 All
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had never even existed.
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Mom says once youre famous, youre changed, Sadie

says. For good.
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Sadies parents are actors, so her mom would know.
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I have to go, I say. I cant be late to welcome him. I
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should never be late to welcome someone on their first day,
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but
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But especially not Alex Powell, she says. Go.
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I rush back to the guidance office, where I appear to have
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beaten Alex Powell. Ive been trying to picture him, but in my
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head hes still fifteen with perfectly floppy hair straight out of
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a photo shoot.
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Welcome back, Miss McAllister-Morgan, Ms. Guillory says
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with a sigh, and I think Im supposed to realize I shouldnt
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have dashed off, even briefly. It probably wasnt the most
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professional move, but today shouldnt call for standard oper
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ating procedures.
All right, of course today should. Thats why standard
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operating procedures exist.

And good morning, Mr. Powell, Ms. Guillory says, look
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ing past me.
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I turn my head very slowly in a calculated swivel.
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Alex Powell, the Alex Powell, is standing right inside the
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swinging doors.
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Good morning, he says with a little grin.
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Great. Just great. Hes still cute. Hes not fl

oppy-
hair-
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straight-outofaphoto-shoot cute, but real-life cute instead.
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And real-life cute is so much better.
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Youre in good hands, Ms. Guillory tells him with a little
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gesture to me. Good luck on your first day.
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She takes a seat and looks to her computer, and normally
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this is when I jump in seamlessly. But Im still marveling that
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hes here.
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Hey, he says to me, and I try to reconcile the famous
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fifteen-year-old with the person standing in front of me, who
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seems now like hed want to be someones man, not their boy.
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Oh my god, why am I thinking stuff like this like I know
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him? Seeing someone on TV and the Internet doesnt equal
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knowing him. Were strangers.

Hes t allIm bad with guessing heights, but I think over
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six feetand hes filled out. His dark hair used to be styled
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very precisely. Now its grown out just a little, and a wavy
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chunk falls over his forehead in a way that makes me want to
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lean over and brush it back.
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Oh my god, Jules, no! Do not think of touching Alex, his
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hair, or his forehead. Youre a professional. Professionals keep
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their hands to themselves, even inside their brains.
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Miss M
cAllister-Morgan, says Ms. Guillory, and now I
wonder if I was just standing there gaping at Alex Powell.
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When you live in LA, people being famous isnt the big
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gest deal. There are Sadies parents, of course, and a few kids
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show up only toward the end of the year when their TV shows
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arent shooting, and Nick Weber was on a Disney show as the
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annoying little brother back in grade school. But the TV kids
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only talk to me if theyre talking to Sadie, and Ive barely spo
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ken to Nick at all.
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And yet now I have to speak to Alex. I have to speak to
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Alex with authority. Because Im on the Eagle Vista Academy
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Reception Committee. Im the vice president of the Eagle
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Vista Academy Reception Committee.
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Hi, Im Jules McAllister-Morgan. Im your Eagle Vista

Academy Reception Committee liaison. Whats your name?
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Obviously the question is not one I need to ask.
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Alex, he says with a broad smile that takes over his entire
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face. Alex Powell. Thanks.
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I take that in like new information.
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Nice to meet you, Alex. I pause to beam my practiced
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welcome smile. Ive learned from mainlining Americas Next
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Top Model marathons with my friends that the giveaway of
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a fake smile is not involving your eyes, so I make sure mine
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crinkle up a little.
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In
general
not just with my
expression
I think its
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incredibly important to project the right image. Since today
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I was on liaison duty and Im awaiting the newspaper editor
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announcement, I made sure to wear one of my more profes
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sional outfits. My structured gray top goes perfectly with the
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subtle floral pattern on my Aline skirt, and because my black
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flats are b
rand-new, theres not even the hint of a scuff on
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them yet. My blond hair is pulled back into a low ponytail, not
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only to keep it out of my face but also to give the impression I
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dont care about frivolous things like my hair.
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Ill take you around so youll know where your classes
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are, I continue. It can be a little confusing with a few in dif
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ferent buildings.
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Okay, cool, he says, even though nothing having to do
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with the Eagle Vista Academy Reception Committee could
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realistically be taken as cool. Heres my schedule.

He starts to hand it over, but I hold up my copy. Part of
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the job.
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Youre very prepared, he says in a voice that almost
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sounds like flirtation. So I remind myself of who Im dealing
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with here. This is Alex Powell. Alex Powell probably has devel
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oped flirtation superpowers. Maybe Alex Powell was born
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with flirtation superpowers.
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The voice has nothing to do with me.
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So youve got calculus first hourthats in Maywood Hall,

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the main academic building, through the courtyard. Most of
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your classes are in there; let me show you.
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He falls into step beside me as we walk out of the tiny
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administrative building and into the open courtyard. People
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make fun of the clich of Los Angeles weather, but if you lived
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anywhere else, youd have to feel jealous at least sometimes,
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wouldnt you? The sky is clear, and the sun shines down in
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golden rays, and its as if the whole city wants to welcome Alex.
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I do not blame the city.
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What year are you? he asks.
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Im a senior too. So Maywood Hall is the middle build
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ing; you just have to make a right and follow that path. I take
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a couple of steps ahead of him while pointing it out. We can
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go in, but we have to stay pretty quiet.
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I can manage that, he says.
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I hold open one heavy front door for him. He kind of
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brushes against me as he walks in, and while its not the most
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boy contact Ive ever had, its close. It feels like a lot out of
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nowhere. Maybe its why I forget to keep moving, and thats
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definitely why the hem of my skirt gets sucked in as the door
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swings shut.
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No! I shout, even though its too late.
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Alex cocks one of his eyebrows. The move pulls his whole
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face into a smile. What about staying quiet?
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I try to pull away from the door, but the door is stronger,
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and I can feel the waistband doing its best to pull down away
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from my waist. And I definitely do not want Alex Powell to see
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my underwear at all, but especially not today because tonight
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is Laundry Night. That means I am wearing my least favorite
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pair, which are p

ink-and-black leopard print, like my butt is a
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1980s rock star. I only own them because Mom still holds out
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hope Im secretly as cool as she is.
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I think both Mom and I know the truth by now: I am not.
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Dont move. Alex swoops back in and throws open the
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door. My skirt does get displaced, but Im almost positive I fix
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it in time to keep him from seeing even the tiniest sliver of
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hot pink and black.
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Almost.
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You didnt warn me how dangerous it is here, Alex says.
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Theres actually nearly a zero percent crime rate on
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school grounds, I say.
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I was kidding, he says with a smile.
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I check that his eyes are crinkled to see if its a real smile,
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and they are, so it is. I cant believe Alex Powell is smiling at
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me. Technically, I guess Alex Powell is smiling at my dorki
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ness in the face of my Great Skirt Emergency, but its still a
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smile of his directed at me.
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Sorry, I know, I mean, I should have known. I hear my
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voice and how I just sound like Regular Jules now, not at all
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like Eagle Vista Academy Reception Committee Vice Presi
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dent Jules. Time to reset. Theres a stairwell at each end of the
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main corridor. For some reason, freshmen clog up the right
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one, so Id suggest using the left one when you can. Lets head
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back out so I can show you the other main academic building.
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Be careful this time, he says as I open the door. This

building clearly wants to feed on your clothes.
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Haha, I say. Haha? I meant to actually laugh!
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Hey, Jules? Thats your name, right? Its Jules?
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Its Jules, yes.
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Anyway. Alex stops walking for a moment and shrugs.
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Because hes so tall, I have to look up to watch the shrugging.
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You can go ahead and say it if you want.
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Say what? I ask, even though of course I know what he
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means. How would I even do that, if I deemed it polite? Hey,
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didnt you used to be famous? Hey, do u still want 2 B anyones boy?
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He exhales audibly. Inever mind.
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Changing schools must be hard, I say, even though Ms.
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Guillory says we should never emphasize the bad parts of
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switching schools, only the fun ones, and even though Im
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nearly positive that isnt what Alex means.
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Ive done it a few times, he says. Its not that big a deal.
Its still the first week, only Tuesday. Could be worse.
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Youre brave, I say without thinking. It earns me another

real smile, though.
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Thanks for the tour, he says, Jules.
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Really and truly, I know this isnt actual flirting. But also
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really and truly, I like it anyway.
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I show him Fair Park Building and the Mount Royal Build
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ing for the Arts, then walk him into the cafeteria. I explain
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where the various linesentres, salad bar, grill, smoothies
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are, and then I circle him back to the administrative wing
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and explain how he can go to his advisor for anything he
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needs. This is always the last step of the t ourand usually by
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now Im feeling that twinge of I should get to class so I dont miss
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anything elsebut right now I wish the tour had several more
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attractions.
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So I hope that youve gotten an idea of how the schools
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laid out, and where to find anything you need, I say with my
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practiced smile. And, again, you can always contact your
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advisor or any Eagle Vista Academy Reception Committee
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liaison.
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Like you, he says.
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Like me, I say, dismissing the warmth or whatever tone
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his voice sounds washed in. Im vice president, so Im always
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available to help.
Thats a big responsibility, he says. The tone is still there.
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If the president dies, youve got to step up.
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I already barely know how flirting works unless Im observ
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ing others, but then throw Alex Powell into the mix? I literally
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just stand there, again, staring at him.

I do decide, however, that its marginally better than say
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ing haha again.
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Thanks for the tour, he tells me.
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Part of the job, I say, again, and even though I think Im
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just going to inwardly cringe, I outwardly cringe a little too.
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Get it together, Jules! Good luck.
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Chapter Two
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The spot next to Sadie in womens history is, of course, open
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for me, and I slip as quietly into the room as I can manage. I
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dont know why I bother, because Im still getting out my text
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book and notebook when she throws her pen at me.
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Was it him? she whispers, if you can call it that. Sadies

volume only seems to turn down so far.
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I nod and keep my attention on my desk, even though I

cant wait to share everything with her.
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What was he like?
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Miss S
heraton-Hayes. Ms. Cannon doesnt even bother to
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hide a sigh. If youd like to talk to Miss McAllister-Morgan,
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might I suggest after class or at lunch?
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Great ideas, Sadie says, somehow not sounding sarcas
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tic even though no one else could pull off that feat. Sorry,
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Ms. Cannon.
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I wait until were in the hallway after class to broach the

subject. He was actually
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Hang on. Sadies attention is completely on her phone.
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Everyones texting. Did you get a picture of him?
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A picture?
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With your phone?
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I couldnt take a picture o

f I stop myself and drop
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my voice to a whisper, a real whisper, not a Sadie-style one
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A lex Powell with my phone.
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Jules! She swats me on the arm. What good is it having
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my best friend on the Reception Committee if it doesnt ben
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efit me in any way?
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Its really not supposed to benefit you in any way, I say.
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Hes in Ems calculus class, Sadie says. Imagine being in
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calculus, doing calculus stuff, with Alex Powell.
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I check my phone as well, even though thats against Eagle
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Vista Academy rules. Theres nothing about today that doesnt
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feel like an exception. Em just texted. She says that no one is
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making a big deal out of him being here. Maybe people dont
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really remember.
It was only two years ago, Sadie says. Wait! Why am I
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checking in with Em? I havent even debriefed you yet!

I have to get to class, I say. I havent even been to my
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locker yet.
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This is totally worth being late for, Sadie says, but I fear
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tardy slips far more than Sadie does, so we split up for now.
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Ems in my Latin class, which is my next class, and she raises
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her eyebrows at me as I sit down.
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You heard, I assume, she says. Or you checked your

texts for once.
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Yes and yes, I say. I was his liaison this morning.
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He seems normal, she says.
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Completely. He was really nice.
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And hot, she says. Very hot.
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I didnt notice, I say for some reason, and Ems eyebrows
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find new heights. No, I noticed. Obviously I noticed. I dont
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know why I said I didnt.
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Because youre a professional, and you take your liaison

duties very seriously.
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Im pretty sure Ems being sarcastic, but its true that I do.
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Jules, will you ever forgive us? Sadie deposits a cupcake
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on top of my notebook before sitting down next to me at
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our lunch table. In the Alex excitement, you were totally
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forgotten.
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Nah, Jules is never forgotten, Sadies boyfriend, Justin,

says.
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Theyre choosing newspaper editor today, Sadie says.

Youre not worried, are you? Youre obviously getting it.
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Im not obviously getting it, I say as Em and her boy

friend, Thatcher, sit down. Natalie could get it.
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Pffffff, Natalie. Sadie waves this absolutely true possibility
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off with a flick of her wrist. Wheeler would be insane to pick
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her.
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He wouldnt be, I say, because we are as evenly matched
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as two competitors can be. We both have perfect GPAs, weve
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both been on the honor roll throughout high school, and we
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both have a solid mix of extracurriculars. But thank you for
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the cupcake.
Is there just one cupcake? Thatcher asks with hope in his
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eyes.
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There is, but I split it with him mainly because I dont want
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to make him sad but also because maybe karma will reward
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my generosity with the editor position. Im not entirely sure
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if thats how karma works, but Im willing to sacrifice half a
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cupcake to find out.
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We used to share a bigger table with a bigger group of
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girls, but then people started getting boyfriends, and friends
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of boyfriends started joining in. So instead of being clustered
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together at one of the long tables, the huge group split up
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among the smaller round tables on the other side of the cafe
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teria. Now its just Sadie and her boyfriend, Em and her boy
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friend, and me. Ive decided its for the best that boys cant
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be my focus right now, because this smaller table comfortably
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seats five. A boy wouldnt just be crammed into my w

ay-too-
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busy life; hed have to be crammed into the seating arrange
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ment as well.
Hey, Jules?
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I look up to see that Alex Powell is standing near our table.
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Very near. Other tables have noticed too. It feels as if more
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than half the cafeteria is looking our way. But I think it feels
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that way because, literally, more than half the cafeteria is
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looking our way.
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Hi, I say in perfect liaison tone. Do you need any help

navigating the cafeteria?
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No, he says, and smiles. Actually, hes already smiling,
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but he smiles more. Alexs smile possibilities seem vast and
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unending. I navigated it pretty well. Cool if I...
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He nods at the table, and of course on one hand its obvi
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ous what hes suggesting. But on the other, I cannot believe
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this is what he is suggesting, so I dont say anything.
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Sit down, Sadie tells him. Justin, get him a chair.
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You dont have to sit with me because Im your liaison, I
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say. There arent any liaison rules about lunches or anything.
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There are barely any liaison rules at all.
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Jules, stop saying liaison, Em says.
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Justin returns with a chair that he somehow makes fit
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around the table. Alex drops his tray on the table and sits
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down next to me as if its something he does every day.
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The nachos were a good choice, Em says with a nod to his
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lunch tray. Alex wouldnt have any idea that to someone not
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in our little circle, that was a lot for Em to say and he should
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feel special.
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Thats a relief. Alex grins, and I can feel how its very
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much in my direction. I wish he would use his special powers
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elsewhere. Obviously in no real world is Alex Powell flirting
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with Jules McAllister-Morgan, but its so easy to forget that for
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whole seconds at a time. Plus I have no real experience to go
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by, unless you count Pete Jablowski, who kissed me two sum
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mers ago at gifted camp and then ran away.
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(I actually do count that.)
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Where did you move from? Sadie asks. Was it some
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where colder?
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Ann Arbor, Michigan, most recently, he says. So, yes.
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Why did you move? she asks.
12
My dads job, he says. It happens a lot.
13
Oh, Im Sadie, she says. This is Justin, Thatcher, Em,
14
and of course you know Jules.
15
I know to Alex it must look like Im part ofwell, not a
16
popular crowd, but at least a cool one. Everyone could fill their
17
own square in some sort of person bingo. Ems in all black in
18
the way thats not gothy but artsy and intimidating, Thatch
19
ers glasses are orange, so everyone knows hes really comfort
20
able with himself, Justinwho looks like the skater that he
21
ishas a tattoo on his right bicep because his older sister is
22
a tattoo artist, and Sadie generally exudes cool but also spe
23
cifically has very violet hair as well as a tiny hoop through her
24
nose.
Its fate that this is my crowd and that these are my friends.
25
26S
Sadies parents and my parents are best friends, and have
27N
been since before we were born. We were destined to be best

16
8/26/15 3:13:22 PM
friends, which is why our lunch table most certainly looks like
01
A Lot of Cool People, plus me, wearing J.Crew.
02
I dont think its ever too early to put forward a profes

sional appearance.
03
04
Sadies questions seem to have ended for at least the
05
moment, which is good because I trust Sadies good inten
06
tions but not necessarily her ability to refrain from ask
07
ing about obvious topics of interests. So Im a little relieved
08
that Alex has a chance to eat his nachos, and also that hes
09
not forced to confront his past as a singing and dancing
10
dreamboat.
11
He looks over at me right as I think the word dreamboat,
12
and I have a split second of thinking he has magical mystical
13
mind-reading powers. So what are the liaison rules?
14
Im nearly as sure that hes teasing me as that he doesnt
15
have any psychic abilities, but Im not positive. I force myself
16
just to smile and not inform him of the required liaison b

ullet-
17
point items and time limits. How does anyone deal with boys
18
full-time? Im exhausted trying just to be normal.
19
Talk turns to the usual subjects as people finish eating,
20
and I stay quiet for an assortment of reasons, like Alexs pres
21
ence, like that Sadie generally carries enough conversation
22
for all of us, like my memorized multi-item list of why Im the
23
best choice for newspaper editor.
24
After the warning bell rings, Alex walks side by side with
25
me out of the cafeteria. I just have to take a left to get back to
S26
Maywood Hall, yeah?
N27
17
8/26/15 3:13:22 PM
01
Correct, I say, accidentally in my perfect Eagle Vista
02
Academy Reception Committee Vice President Jules voice.
03
Even for me, Ive been a severe dork in front of Alex at this
04
point. Im going that way too, actually.
05
I now vaguely remember from glancing at his schedule
06
this morning that we have Topics in Economics together, and
07
I think American literature too at the end of the day. Obvi
08
ously I didnt memorize his schedule on purpose; its just
09
hard not remembering when you have the same classes. If I
10
were a q
uestion-asker like Sadie, Id get to the bottom of why
11
Alex is hanging around with me, but Im keeping it all locked
12
inside. Plus hes new, and Im an expert on the school, so its
13
likely incredibly obvious.
14
And, anyway, by the time he selects a desk near Sadie and
15
me in American lit, the last class of the day, my brain in over
16
drive mode has shifted from figuring him out to my Why
17
Jules Should Be Newspaper Editor checklist.
18
Are you nervous? Sadie asks me. I know she means to
19
whisper, so Im okay that other people probably hear her.
20
Hed be crazy not to pick you.
21
I glance over at Mr. Wheeler, who takes roll call every day
22
by studying the classroom, which means we always get at
23
least five minutes to talk while he squints around the room
24
figuring out attendance. Well see. And, yeah. Im nervous.

She leans over and tousles my hair. Were almost exactly
25
26S
the same a geIm only a month older than S

adiebut I
27N
18
8/26/15 3:13:22 PM
never mind when she takes care of me. Text me as soon as
01
you know. We can celebrate or mourn accordingly tonight.
02
Im not sure I can, I say. Mom and I are making meat
03
balls, so thatll take a long time, and I have a lot of homework.
04
Try, Sadie says because she seems to have stumbled upon
05
time-bending abilities Ive never been able to manage myself.
06
If I have meatballs and cellular and molecular biology to
07
worry about, I have no idea how socializing can also be slot
08
ted in. Also save me some meatballs.
09
That much I can promise!
10
Whats up? Alex asks. Being nervous, I mean. Not the
11
meatballs.
12
Theyre announcing newspaper editor after school today,
13
I say, just loudly enough for Alex and Sadie to hear me. And
14
its a really big deal to me.
15
Shell obviously get it, Sadie says. Jules is a very orga

nized genius, if you havent noticed.
16
17
Shes already a VP, Alex says. Editor too? Is that allowed

in the constitution?
18
19
After the last bell rings, I file out with the rest of the class,
20
even though Mr. Wheelers classroom doubles as the news
21
paper office. I like putting away my books and getting out my
22
special red notebook and folder that I only use for this.
23
When people see or hear about my schedule, the auto
24
matic assumption is that Im padding my college applica
25
tions. Yes, I have newspaper, reception, and student council.
S26
N27
19
8/26/15 3:13:22 PM
01
Yes, during summers I have one of those Ifile-unimportant-
02
paperwork-becausemyparent-works-here internships. Yes, I
03
walk dogs one weekday afternoon and one weekend morning
04
every week. But its not only so I look good to Brown, or to any
05
other school. All this stuff matters.
06
Okay, maybe not the filing. But everything else! And at
07
least at the office I get to dress business-casual like Im an
08
adult, and the department assistant always buys me lattes
09
when she picks up coffee orders for all the lawyers.

Alex leans against the locker next to mine. Thanks for
10
11
showing me around today. Liaison or not.

Oh, its just because Im I cut myself off from any more
12
13
liaison talk. Youre welcome.
14
See you tomorrow, he says.
15
I think hes going to walk away, but he doesnt. Oh! See
16
you tomorrow too.
17
Good luck with newspaper. He grins at me before head
18
ing off down the hallway. I dont know why the smile feels
19
like the first one anyones ever shown to me, so I focus on
20
switching out my books and walking back into Mr. Wheelers
21
office.
22
I sit down next to Thatcher, whos already been the pho
23
tography editor for the past year because hes really talented
24
but also because he owns his own camera, and its a really
25
fancy one. Mr. Wheeler swore up and down that the camera
26S
wasnt to blame or thank for Thatchers title, but we all sus
27N
pect otherwise.
20
8/26/15 3:13:22 PM
My bullet-point list is written in my red notebook, and I
01
turn to it and reread while people file into the room. Im only
02
on item number four (Showed leadership capabilities by becoming
03
the first Reception Committee member to be elected vice president as a
04
sophomore) when I hear Thatchers cameras shutter click.
05
I close the notebook as quickly as I can. What are you

doing?
06
07
When you become editor, youll be happy that I captured
08
a moment right before, Thatcher says. Maybe hes right, but I
09
believe in jinxing down to my core, and hearing him say when
10
makes a little shiver rock through me.
11
All right, guys, lets get started, Mr. Wheeler says, walk
12
ing to the front of the room. Hes wearing a slouchy cardigan
13
youd expect to see on a very old man, not someone younger
14
than my parents. It has elbow patches like a classic professor
15
would have, but I feel like the slouchiness and cardiganiness
16
take away from the academic grandeur they might otherwise
17
suggest. Its our first meeting of the school year, and we have
18
a lot to accomplish.
19
He begins his spiel for the freshmen, who are all turning
20
in writing, design, or photography samples today. Only some
21
of them will make the staff, and well all have to drop what
22
ever we have fourth period to take newspaper then instead.
23
I assume Mr. Wheelers speech will go on awhile longer,
24
so I sneak a peek at my list again. But I know the list by now,
25
and I know all the reasons I can do this. And even though I
S26
cant deny Natalie deserves it probably just as much, I cant
N27
21
8/26/15 3:13:22 PM
01
imagine my senior year writing for the Crest without being
02
the editor.
03
Natalie always has a steel look of determination and grace,
04
but I still want to survey her face for any hint that shes feeling
05
what Im feeling right now. But in glancing around the room,
06
I realize something.
07
Natalies not here.
08
In fact, a lot of people I expect to see arent here. Even
09
with the big crowd of tiny young freshman, there are a lot of
10
empty desks.
11
We always start each year with a new editor, Mr. Wheeler
12
says, and I feel my pulse thudding in my neck and my wrists.
13
My mouth tastes like pennies. Is it weird that I know what
14
pennies taste like? Every editors been a senior whos been
15
on board since freshman year.
16
Is he leading up to saying But this year is different, the way
17
reality shows that have been on for ten years suddenly put
18
contestants on teams or make men fight against women? Oh
19
my god, I really watch too many reality shows.
20
And this years editor will be someone whos worked very
21
hard the past three y earsJules M

cAllister-Morgan, he says.
22
Jules, would you like to say anything?
23
I do have a speech, because my parents have emphasized
24
being prepared for big life moments. But all I can say is,
25
What about Natalie?
26S
Natalies decided not to be on staff this year so that
27N
she can focus on other extracurriculars, Mr. Wheeler says.

22
8/26/15 3:13:22 PM
Lucky for me, huh, I dont have to make a tough decision
01
between you two. Okay, moving on to the existing staff.
02
What about my speech? Mr. Wheeler couldnt really have

thought it consisted of What about Natalie?, could he?
03
04
All right, guys, lets talk about attendence.
05
I guess he could.
06
Congrats, Thatcher whispers to me.
07
For what? I want to ask. For just not quitting? If Natalie
08
were here, maybe I wouldnt have earned this. Maybe I didnt
09
even earn this. Maybe Im just the one whos sitting here. Why
10
isnt Natalie here anyway? Why would she want to leave when
11
this was her destiny as much as it was mine?
12
Mr. Wheeler discusses attendance and hands out some
13
forms, and then I realize hes staring at me. I dismiss it for a
14
second because unfortunately Mr. Wheeler and I know each
15
other pretty well. He rents the guesthouse in the backyard
16
behind ours, and for some reason my parents have befriended
17
him. Sometimes they give him our leftovers like hed starve
18
without us. Isnt he a grownup with a job, and cant g

rown-
19
ups with jobs feed themselves?
20
Handing over the reins to you, Jules, Mr. Wheeler says,
21
and it hits me that even though I only got the job because
22
Natalies whereabouts are unknown, I still have to do the job.
23
So I get up and take story and photo ideas.
24
I thought it would feel exciting and powerful, but it just
25
feels like writing things down on the whiteboard. I feel like
S26
myself.
N27
23
8/26/15 3:13:22 PM
01
After class, Thatcher and I hang back with Carlos Esquivel,
02
the layout editor. I expect Mr. Wheeler will say something
03
big and inspirational and then maybe Ill stop feeling so
04
blah about all of this. Mr. Wheeler, do you want me to feel
05
uninspired?
06
Good work, guys! See you tomorrow.
07
I guess he does.
08
09
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26S
27N
24
8/26/15 3:13:22 PM
01
02
03
04
05
Chapter Three
06
07
08
09
10
Moms already at home when I get there, but both dogs fling
11
themselves at me like theyve been without human interac
12
tion for decades. Since I know Im probably too old to fling
13
myself at Mom with the same p

anic-slash-relief, I sit down on
14
the floor of the front room and focus on petting Peanut and
15
Daisy.
16
Mom walks into the room with her hands behind her back,
which is strange and suspicious. Hey, howd it go? she asks.
Um, it was okay. I shrug like this years goals and dreams
dont all feel like a letdown. What are you hiding?
17
18
19
20
Mom presents a cupcake to me with a little flourish of her
21
hands. I wonder if I missed a memo that the fate of a school
22
newspaper decision can only be managed via cupcakes.
23
Thanks, I say because its not her fault Sadies cupcake

arrived first. Im editor.
24
25
Oh my god, Jules! Congratulations!
S26
It doesnt mean anything. I stand up quickly because
N27
25
8/26/15 3:13:22 PM
01
Peanut has his eyes on my cupcake. I wouldnt share it with a
02
dog anyway, but I can tell from the candy disc decoration that
03
its from Sprinkles, and they do have the best cupcakes in all
04
of LA. Natalie quit the paper or something. So Mr. Wheeler
05
basically said I got it because he didnt have to pick.
06
Aw, I cant believe he would say it like that, Mom says,
07
because, again, my parents adore Mr. Wheeler. And of course it
08
means something.
It doesnt feel like anything, I say. I didnt even get to
09
10
make a speech.
11
You can make your speech for us.
12
I choose to suggest starting on the meatballs instead of
13
giving my slaved-over speech to my mom and two dogs.
14
Daisy and Peanut trail us as we walk into the kitchen, and
15
as Moms getting everything out of the refrigerator, I think to
16
grab my phone. I have a bunch of texts. Sadie wants to know
17
how it went, Em knows how it went because of Thatcher and is
18
congratulating me, and then Sadie
19
Well, then Sadie has sent a second message containing
20
something completely crazy, and I do not want to deal with
21
that right now.
22
I went to McCalls for the meat, Mom tells me as shes
23
taking ingredients out of the refrigerator. So it is very freshly
24
ground.
Thats exciting, I say, because to Mom it is, and on a good
25
26S
day I guess it would be for me too. But I cant get my mind off
27N
26
8/26/15 3:13:22 PM
something, and now, thanks to Sadie, it isnt the sadness of
01
the way I became editor.
02
03
So can we talk about the fact that Alex freaking Powell is
04
clearly into you?
05
06
Okay, I cant just not think about the fact that Sadies texted
me this bit of insanity.
07
08
Is Darcy going to be home on time tonight? I ask, even
09
though I dont know why on time is something I say. Its as nor
10
mal for Darcy to rush in at the tail end of the meal, calling
11
out apologies as she throws a plate of leftovers in the micro
12
wave as it is for her to be here before I set the table. But Mom
13
doesnt usually plan anything too elaborate unless shes pretty
14
sure itll be one of those latter nights and not the former.
15
When I was little, I didnt think there was anything strange
16
about having two moms. And, anyway, I never really thought
17
I had two moms. I had Mom, and I had Darcy, and they were
18
as individual as any mom and dad were from each other. Back
19
then we had Rochester, a beagle-shepherd mix, and we lived
20
in our cozy house in Eagle Rock, and until I went off to kin
21
dergarten it had never really occurred to me that my family
22
wasnt like most. Yeah, Sadie had a mom and a dad, but back
23
then odds were to me that she was the weird one.
24
Supposedly, yes. Well see. Mom stops dumping meats
25
into the mixing bowl and steps closer to touch my face. I hope
S26
N27
27
8/26/15 3:13:22 PM
01
she hasnt touched the raw meats yet. Jules, it still means
02
something that you were chosen to be editor.
03
I open my mouth to explain that my current look of weird
04
ness and confusion isnt about the Crest but Sadies insane
05
text. In fact, it might even be to overcompensate for how just
06
the idea of Alex makes me start to smile. Of coursedespite
07
what Sadies m
essagingit means nothing! And so the very
08
last thing I want to do right now is explain to Mom why a for
09
mer b
oy-band member definitively is not into me. So I just
10
shrug and let her believe Im upset about the thing I w

asto
11
be fairupset about only sixty seconds ago.
12
I know, Mom. I try with all my faking ability to look like
13
I mean it too. Im not sure if she believes me, but I manage to
14
weasel out of this sentimental moment and pick up the recipe
15
card.
16
The meatballs recipe is written out in the perfect script of
17
my g
reat-grandmother, who died before I was born. For the
18
most part my family eats like normal LA people. We get our
19
kale at the weekly farmers market, have Meatless Mondays
20
because its healthy and also helps the environment, and go
21
out for sushi at least twice a month (usually more). But Moms
22
the only one in her family who wanted the recipe box when
23
her grandmother died, and once a week we cook something
24
from it with only a few t wenty-first-century changes.

My phone dings with a new text, and once I see that its
25
26S
Sadie again, I dont even read the message before turning the
27N
phone facedown on the counter.

28
8/26/15 3:13:22 PM
Its a big day for you, Mom says. Go call your friends,
and I can finish this.
01
02
Its not a big day, and I dont want to call my friends. Cant
I just make meatballs in peace?
03
04
Of course.
05
Mom and I split up the rest of the ingredients. She measures
06
out and adds ricotta, milk, and Parmesan, while I do the same
07
with bread crumbs, basil, parsley, and salt. We split the eggs
08
because its our dumb tradition to see who can break them fast
09
est. Mom wins tonight. One of my favorite things about cook
10
ing isegg-breaking contests or nothow calming it can be.
11
Dinner will be full of conversation, but this part isnt.
12
Though tonight the silence isnt doing it for me. Not with
Sadies text flashing constantly in my head.
13
14
Its just that this new guy started today, and I was his liai
15
son, and so he was talking to me a lot because of that, and
16
Sadie thinks it means something.
17
I dont mean to say it, but Im not that surprised I do. Ive
18
never been skilled at keeping much from my parents, but nor
19
mally there isnt much to keep.
20
Maybe it does mean something, Mom says.
21
Sadies crazy, and you know that.
22
Mom laughs because shes too nice to actually agree about
23
Sadies sanity levels.
24
A boy could like you, Mom says, and I feel my face getting
25
hot, which means my face is getting red. Stop it, face! Work
S26
with me, not against me. Would that be awful?
N27
29
8/26/15 3:13:22 PM
01
No, Mom, the point is it wouldnt be possible. I feel like
02
Im getting too worked up, so I focus on mixing everything.
03
You have to do it with your hands to get the best results, which
04
is a little gross, but Mom did it last time, so its my turn.
05
Youre pretty great, Mom says.
06
Great to your mom is not like being great to a guy, I say.
07
And, anyway, I dont have time for guys. You know that.
08
I know that? I know nothing of the sort!
09
Im getting into Brown, I say. I have to.
10
You want to, Mom says. You know you cant control your
11
own destiny.
12
Mom says things like this all the time, but I think she
13
believes way too much in things like destiny. Im pretty sure
14
you can make anything happen if you work hard enough, and
15
Im positive Darcy agrees with me. Darcy aced law school,
16
passed the bar exam on her first attempt, and takes work
17
home with her not because she has to, but because she wants
18
to. It isnt that I dont think that both of my parents work
19
hard, but Mom might sometimes hint that it would be good
20
to take a break and go outside or to hang out at Sadies, but I
21
know that Darcy always understands that I dont have time for
22
breaks.
Boys are actually pretty easy to fit in a schedule, Mom
23
24
continues. When I was in high s chool

Mom. I dont want to hear about fitting in boys. I shouldnt
25
26S
have brought this up at all. I really just want to make meat
27N
balls, okay?
30
8/26/15 3:13:22 PM
Mom mimes zipping her lips before getting the pan ready
01
on the stove. Now that everythings mixed, we roll the meat
02
balls and put them into the oven. Then I fill a pot with tomato
03
sauce we canned last summer with tomatoes from our gar
04
den. As Im pulling vegetables out of the refrigerator to make
05
a salad, the front door opens and Darcy walks in carrying a
06
bakery box from the Alcove.
07
Congratulations, she says before presenting the box to
08
me. I can feel it coming, but I still look inside. More cupcakes!
09
Four cupcakes! Darcy barely even believes in processed sugar,
10
but here they are, staring at me.
11
Were so proud of you, Mom says, taking a break from
12
meatball business and walking over from the counter to stand
13
next to Darcy. Then they just stare at me in the glowing way
14
they do sometimes, and Im not sure what to do, so I just take
15
the box from Darcy and stand there.
16
It was a technicality, I say to Darcy. Did Mom explain

that?
17
18
Darcy frowns. What do you mean?
19
I repeat the information for her, and I wait for her face to
20
reflect whats in my heart. But before long shes back to glow
21
ing again.
22
Its not a technicality, she says. Be proud of yourself.
23
Be proud of yourself sounds nice, but not necessarily when
24
Darcy commands it.
25
Darcy takes over for me on salad duty, and I decide to
S26
check my phone. Sadie has messaged me twice more: Im
N27
31
8/26/15 3:13:22 PM
01
serious about Alex you know!! with a kissy-face emoji Ive
02
never seen before, and WHY ARE YOU IGNORING ME???
03
Im coming over! Im worried!
04
Oh no, I say aloud. Im afraid Sadie might be coming over.
05
Thats great, Mom says.
06
She can have the fourth cupcake, Darcy says. I was
07
going to give it to Joe otherwise.
08
I dont want Sadie interrupting my evening, but its a much
09
better prospect than walking a lone cupcake over to Mr.
10
Wheelers and pretending like we dont hear his gloomy indie
11
rock mourning over the speakers.
12
The doorbell rings while were taking the broccoli off the
13
stove, and the meatballs are nearly ready. Im currently man
14
aging the broccoli, so Mom lets Sadie in.
15
Oh my god, it smells amazing in here, Sadie says as she
16
walks into the kitchen. Do you know what my family is hav
17
ing for dinner tonight? Turkey sandwiches. Sandwiches! A
18
sandwich cant be dinner!
19
20
Your mother makes very good sandwiches, Darcy tells

her. Youll find no sympathy here.
21
Sadie opens the utensil drawer and starts pulling out
22
forks, spoons, and knives to set the table. Soooo...how did it
23
go? Can we talk about it?
24
25
I open my mouth to speak, but Im still figuring out the

first word when of course I dont have to.
26S
27N
She got it, Mom says. Not that any of us should be

surprised.
32
8/26/15 3:13:22 PM
Not at all! Sadie flings the silverware onto the table and
01
throws her arms around me. Yay! You did it! I told you youd
02
get it over Natalie.
03
I didnt, okay? Can we just all acknowledge that? I
04
explain for the billionth time. Why doesnt anyone under
05
stand the full scope of the situation like I do?
06
07
08
09
After dinner, Sadie and I walk up to my room. Peanut and
10
Daisy follow and take their favorite spots on my bed before we
11
can sit down. I accept where I fall on the chain of command
12
compared to dogs in this house.
13
I seriously dont want to talk any more about it, I say. Its
all been sullied.
14
15
Seriously, Jules, I didnt come up here to talk about the
16
paper. Wait, did you just say sullied? She laughs and leans over
17
to use Daisy as a pillow. Alex Powell. Alex. Freaking. Powell.
18
No, I say, and it sounds wimpy, so I keep going. No no
19
no no nooooo.
20
That may have somehow sounded wimpier.
21
Jules. I know some things about boys. Not everything, but
22
enough, and that is how boys act, trust me.
23
I manage to fit into the space between Daisy and Peanut.

What are you even saying? What is how boys act?
24
25
Jules, youre ranked first in our class. Youll be our
S26
valedictorian and make a lovely and wise speech well all
N27
33
8/26/15 3:13:22 PM
01
remember throughout our whole lives. So dont play dumb all
02
of a sudden.
03
Im not playing! I run my hand over Peanuts soft tan fur.
04
I dont want to talk about this either. I know he acted nice.
05
I also know it doesnt mean anything. And acting like it does
06
feels...like Im cheating, or something. Boys like Alex Powell
07
dont...
08
To be fair we dont have that much reference material on
09
boys like Alex Powell, Sadie says. If I drop it, can I at least
10
reserve the right to say I told you so later?
11
If it makes you stop talking? Yes.
12
Ill take that as a victory.
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26S
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The New Guy (And Other Senior Year Distractions) (Preview)

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Droits d'auteur :

The New Guy (And Other Senior Year Distractions) (Preview)

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01

Hachette Book Group

First Edition: April 2016

Printed in the United States of America

To my friend Nadia Osman

Every day I C U in the hall

C U drinking coffee @ the mall

Every day I fall and fall

More in <3 with U

But each time I C U passing by

I get tongue-tied cuz Im way 2 shy

Ur so special and I dont know Y

I just cant say 2 U

Want 2 hold Ur hand

And hang out 4 a while

Hope U want me 2 B Ur boy 2

Chaos 4 All, Want 2 B Ur Boy

routines familiar. When a new student starts at Eagle Vista

Academy, one of us gives them a quick tour and at least the

illusion of a friendly face in the crowd. The school is expen

sive, so I think the Reception Committee is an attempt to

Parents therefore immediately feel like they got their moneys

I joined the Reception Committee when I was a freshman,

so Ive done this more times than I can count. Im notified a

day in advance to be at the guidance office before first period

But this morning is not like any of the other mornings.

To be fair, it wasnt to begin with. We have our first meet

whos been selected as newspaper editor in chief. If its not

Needless to say, Im in no shape to be the best possible liaison

a new student deserves.

Much less this new student.

Though maybe it isnt him. There must be other Alex Pow

ells besides the Alex Powell.

Ms. Guillory, the guidance administrator, clears her

out for more than a split second.

Of course we pride ourselves on all students enjoying an

excellent but typical high school experience here, she says.

But with some students, its important we pay special atten

I know then that it is the Alex Powell.

Ill be back on time, I promise her as I dash out of the

office. Luckily my best friend, Sadie, is at her locker when I

You look panicked, she says.

Look at this. I hold up my liaison packet right in her face.

shes a little muffled. Alex Powell.

I said not to read it out loud.

Jules, you should know I cant follow a command like that.

Wait, so do we know if its the Alex Powell?

least. I dont have one hundred percent confirmation yet.

fifth of the biggest boy band in the country, and t henhow

many years later? Two?

Two, I say. Two years ago, it felt as if you couldnt go any

where without hearing Want 2 B Ur Boy. Two years ago,

Jules, this is a big responsibility, Sadie says. You are wel

Hes not a teen idol anymore, I say. Thered been at least

a couple of songs after Want 2 B Ur Boy, but they hadnt

been so universally beloved. And then it was like Chaos 4 All

had never even existed.

Mom says once youre famous, youre changed, Sadie

Sadies parents are actors, so her mom would know.

I have to go, I say. I cant be late to welcome him. I

should never be late to welcome someone on their first day,

But especially not Alex Powell, she says. Go.

I rush back to the guidance office, where I appear to have

beaten Alex Powell. Ive been trying to picture him, but in my

Welcome back, Miss McAllister-Morgan, Ms. Guillory says

with a sigh, and I think Im supposed to realize I shouldnt

have dashed off, even briefly. It probably wasnt the most