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“No, she really is.” Nadia grabbed her jacket and phone and ran for the door. “See you! Happy Thanksgiving!”
The G.I.R.L.s and A.D.U.L.T.s called their good-byes to Nadia as she ran out the door, l
eaving the delicious food smells behind her. She jetted down the elevator and out through the lobby, the Wasp charm on her phone swinging wildly beside her. Nadia ran through the sliding glass doors into glorious rays of the golden-hour sunshine—and sure enough, there was her instructor, leaning against her bright blue ride.
“’Sup, Buzzer?” The blond woman tipped her chin in greeting. She tossed Nadia her car keys. “You’re late.”
“I know, I know!” Nadia winced, catching the keys and rushing to the driver’s-side door. “Sorry, Captain. Won’t happen again.”
Carol Danvers slid into the passenger side of her 1971 Mustang and watched Nadia fumble with the keys. “Am I really that scary?”
“Yes.” Nadia finally got the car going. She turned to smile at her instructor. “But it’s what I like about you.”
Carol laughed. “All right. Why don’t we head over to my place? Got a certain Flerken that’s been missing you.”
Nadia’s eyes lit up. “I’m ready.” She smiled.
Carol nodded and Nadia peeled away from the curb. She was still busy, and she still had a lot to learn about herself—and about being a Cool American Teen. She felt the void left by Margaret in her heart; she hated being disappointed by people she trusted. And she had a long way to go before G.I.R.L. changed the world. But she had her friends, her family, her therapist, and the coolest, scariest driving instructor on the planet. Probably on several planets, actually.
Nadia was feeling good about starting small. She knew if she was patient and she worked hard, it would, one day, lead to something big. And that was worth waiting for.
I owe a massive debt of gratitude to so many people for this, my actual, real-life YA debut novel that somehow exists in reality: Maria Vicente, my incredible agent and friend, without whom I would be nowhere; Megan Logan and Nachie Marsham, who took a chance on me and helped shape Nadia’s prose voice; Lyssa Hurvitz, who got the book into your hands; Laura Bifano, who made the world’s most beautiful cover; Dr. Matthew Conner and Chris Ceary, MS, who ensured that Nadia’s mental health journey was represented as compassionately and accurately as possible; Sarah Sloat, who double-checked my science; Jeremy Whitley, for trusting me with his children; my parents, who showed me what it means to truly prioritize a work-life balance; and Blair, who continues to support me as I try to find that very thing in my own life (slowly). Thanks for waking up with Eevee so often.
