Halley and Scarlett have been best friends for years, sharing secrets, clothes, and crushes. People know Scarlett as the popular, flamboyant one; Halley's just her quiet sidekick. Then, at the beginning of their junior year, the balance shifts. First, Scarlett's boyfriend Michael is killed in a freak accident; soon afterward, she learns that she is carrying his baby. She needs Halley now. But even as Halley does her best, she's dealing with her own pressures--resisting her controlling mother, and dealing with her first serious relationship. Sarah Dessen's unique voice is funny, poignant, and true, with a warm Southern accent that makes Halley's story instantly appealing to teenaged girls and adult readers alike. Sarah Dessen lives in Durham, North Carolina.