❝So, open your eyes and see the way our horizons meet.❞
-Ed Sheeran

***

I hope that everyone who reads this story, who votes, who digs deep into it, or who even just clicks on it because they perhaps like the cover and stays to finish it — or even if they don't stay — I just hope that it was enjoyed. I wanted to write something different, different than what I've ever written before, and with wanting to participate in NaNoWriMo for a few years, I decided that I would do it this year. I would push myself to write something different, to open up to something new. Ever since I was little, I've loved the stars. I've loved learning about all things universe — this is probably where my alien obsession comes in haha — and what better thing to write about when your exploring new areas, than throwing in something you love? Teen fiction is incredibly hard for me to write, but somehow, this story was easy. I don't know if it was because I was hopelessly in love with Clark, or because Maya and him connected under the stars. Whatever it is, it made me want to continue. I wanted to finish their story, I wanted to know their end.

If any of you cried — I know I did plenty of times — I give you all virtual hugs. I'm sorry to cause you sadness, but I'm also glad you felt the emotion I was trying to give. I was trying to make it realistic, trying to make it somewhat relatable. I didn't like Maya at first, for it seemed she would just take and take from Clark, but then I fell in love with her too. She became apart of me, and her story grew out inside of my mind. It hurt to have her pass, for I hate when my favorite author's kill off my favorite characters — I'm looking at you, J.K. Rowling — but I sort of understand Jo after writing this book. You don't want to kill them off, for you love them dearly, but you have to let them go. So, I'm sorry to everyone who shed a tear, and I'm especially sorry to Clark. It hurt the most to hurt him. I have fallen head over heals in love with Clark, for he's just so perfect. Everyone out there deserves a Clark, and I hope you all find him.

On a happier note, if you want to have a bit of a laugh, Clark Jones was actually named after Clark Griswold. I love the National Lampoon movies, and I've been wanting to write a character named Clark for ages. To finally have written one, makes me so happy. For, he's not named after Clark Kent the Superman. He's not named after a hero, he's named after an average every day guy — who just happens to have terrible luck. But, just like how Griswold was nothing special, my Clark is nothing special. He's not a hero, he's not Superman, he's just a human. He's just another teenager, but then again, isn't being human and yourself the most special thing of all? I think so, and that makes my Clark special.

Last but not least, a very big thank you to my best friend nutellapretzel. Thank you for always encouraging me, for reading what I write, for always telling me you love it — I can only hope you really do haha — and for just being my friend. Out of the billions of people, we got to know each other, and I can't tell you how blessed I am. So, thank you, thank you so much. I hope you enjoyed this little book, too. And besides apologizing for hurting Clark, my second largest apology is to you. If I made you cry or made you sad, I'm sorry. But I hope you fell in love with Clark just as I have, for he deserves all the love he can get.