by Marni Bates
The heart-stopping kiss we shared was answer enough for me.
Marni’s High School Survival Playlist
Taylor Swift: “Mean”
Okay, let’s be honest: There are some people in high school (cough, Fake and Bake, cough) who are just straight-up mean. It’s important to keep in mind that high school doesn’t last forever . . . and that your happiness is the best possible revenge. Trust me.
Kate Nash: “Do-Wah-Doo”
When confronted with someone unpleasant, reading a book is always a viable option!
Ben Folds: “There’s Always Someone Cooler Than You”
This song is directed at anyone who tries to make you feel tiny in order to make themself feel tall. And yes, there is always someone cooler than you. But the really cool people are the ones who become your best friends. (They also think that you’re pretty damn awesome.)
Ingrid Michaelson: “The Way I Am”
I’m incredibly lucky to have found people who take me the way I am, but that wasn’t always the case. So don’t stress out if even your high school friends don’t always get you. Support networks can take time to build.
Sara Bareilles: “Brave”
This song always gives me a boost of courage. It’s just so completely made of awesome! I love it.
India.Arie: “Video”
I listened to this song nonstop in high school. It was sometimes a struggle for me to remember that my worth wasn’t connected to my looks. Whenever I heard this song I felt a little less self-conscious about my body.
P!nk: “F*ckin’ Perfect”
You are perfect to me.
Bridgit Mendler: “Postcard”
Never let anyone make you shy away from your dream by referring to your gender/religion/race/sexual orientation/ awkwardness/any other ridiculous reason meant to keep you down. Don’t give the jerks of the world that kind of power over you.
Natasha Bedingfield: “Strip Me”
Nobody can steal your voice.
Katy Perry: “Roar”
I take a whole bunch of dance breaks to this song.
Estelle: “Do My Thing”
I wish this song had been playing in my head every single time someone asked about my writing plans when I was first starting out. I was told many, many times that I needed to follow a more conventional career path. I’m so glad I decided to do my thing. I hope you do yours!
Hot Hot Heat: “Middle of Nowhere”
The future still freaks me out. That’s okay. I think it scares everybody. Adults are just better at hiding the fact that they’re in the middle of nowhere too.
Andy Grammer: “Keep Your Head Up”
You really are going to turn out fine. I promise.
Happy Reading!
—Marni
K TEEN BOOKS are published by
Kensington Publishing Corp.
119 West 40th Street
New York, NY 10018
Copyright © 2014 by Marni Bates
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.
Kensington and the K logo Reg. U.S. Pat. & TM Off.
eISBN-13: 978-0-7582-9517-0
eISBN-10: 0-7582-9517-0
First Kensington Electronic Edition: July 2014
ISBN: 978-0-7582-9516-3