Hello!

Well, where to begin? I guess at the start- even if this is the end.

I've put this off for an INCREDIBLY long time.

Thank you so much for reading this story.

It means the world to me.

This book is the best book I have ever written and probably ever will write. At first I wanted to write a story for the Watty's Awards but it turns out this book became more than just wanting to. It's crazy but I found myself linking to the characters and story plot line more than I have ever done- to me, it felt realistic. (To a certain extent)

Now, I'll get personal so I can explain my intentions throughout the story so please know that the things I shall write mean a lot to me.

It was halfway through chapter 6 I believe when I realised the connections between me and the book- subconsciously, I had written a story about my childhood best friend and I.

His name won't be mentioned and like Hiro and (Y/n), we were close, we knew each other since a young age. There are a few major differences like the reason (Y/n) leaves Hiro, but coincidentally, my friend left to move countries at the same age (Y/n) moves at the beginning in chapter 3. It would be 9 years later when the two friends got back together at the age of 14 and 13, this however is when the story links end and I am sad to say, I haven't seen my friend at all this year when we supposedly would be the same ages as the characters. (14 and 13)

+EDITD+

(5/28/16 {28th of June 2016})

As I write this, I figured to tell you that this author note was written during the process of the book so any edits are sometime after the initial author note. I'm just cutting into here as I received some information relevant to the above anecdote.

You won't believe this and I doubt you will read but today...no joke... He is back.

I'm not kidding. Writing a subconscious story about my life was weird, not realising I wrote a similar tale that I could relate to was weird. Realising it was weird but for there to actually be a similar story line in the end as well?!

Now this one is completely out of my control.

I intended for (Y/n) and Hiro to split paths at the age of 4 (Y/n) and 5 (Hiro), only rejoicing after 9 years (at 13 and 14). I have a feeling that the fact that my best friend left around the same time may just be my brain's way of uncovering forgotten information and mixing it with imagination (Which I had realised while writing the book) BUT. For my friend to come back, from half way across the world for a holiday to my hometown, creating a seal between the 9 year gap (like Hiro and (Y/n)'s)...that is just above extra ordinary.

A thing that happened in my story.... JUST HAPPENED IN REAL LIFE.

Something out of my control.

Now I don't call it fate (Because hey, coincidences happen) but this is only even weirder for me. Last school term (About March-ish) my friend, (Who was just an acquaintance at the time) offered me a fortune cookie.

Yeah, we are going down this path.

The message itself was just so peculiar I had to keep it, for proof, I have a photo. (Insert photo)

"Friends long absent are coming back to you"

Wanna know the first thing that popped into my mind when I read that at the beginning of the year? Yup. My friend.

I sound very protective and obsessive over this but hey, this is my best friend I haven't seen in 9 YEARS. Try picturing what it's like to be me! Or Hiro and (Y/n)...

Anyways, that's all I wanted to say... back to the original author note!

+Edit End+

It was very interesting however, to find these connections to the book, causing me to believe that writing this story wasn't just for the Watty's but to tell a story-with truth mixed in, of my life.

And as I wrote this story, the more I realised that yeah, life can kick ya in the butt and punch you repeatedly, all that means is that you gotta be sure to hit harder.

So, I wanna thank everyone who commented, liked, voted, read and in general participated in the journey of this story because without any of you, I probably wouldn't have continued this book, aside from all the touchy feels, I wanna say thank you all so very much!

And remember: Life is a like a game, we have ups and downs and winners and losers but if you are willing to look for a new angle, you can find the bright side no matter the outcome!