For the Record

by Charlotte Huang

  I don’t know where to find you

  I tell myself not to look

  But my heart is on the hook

  It wasn’t my imagination

  We had more than just a spark

  Unless you tell me why

  I’ll be forever in the dark

  I haven’t given you up (CHELSEA)

  I wish you’d asked me to stay (BECKETT)

  We needed more time (CHELSEA)

  There was more to say (BECKETT)

  How could we both just walk away (BOTH)

  (BOTH)

  Smash cut to now

  I don’t know where to find you

  I tell myself not to look

  But my heart is on the hook

  It wasn’t my imagination

  We had more than just a spark

  Unless you tell me why

  I’ll be forever in the dark

  (BOTH)

  Smash cut to now

  I don’t know where to find you

  I tell myself not to look

  But my heart is on the hook

  It wasn’t my imagination

  We had more than just a spark

  Unless you tell me why

  I’ll be forever in the dark

  IMPERFECT

  Lyrics by Chelsea Ford

  We both know the truth

  It doesn’t matter now

  I got over you and her

  Don’t bother asking how

  I turned the page, I closed the book

  Our tragic scene is done

  No need to linger, no pieces to find

  Stop acting like you won

  You tore me down

  I struggle to get up

  I see you coming near

  Feels like you hit me with a truck

  I wanted you in my life

  How much does that suck

  Play it back, remind me now

  I’ll forget with any luck

  My best friend has my back

  Or that’s what I’ve been told

  Your apologies, your excuses

  That shit is getting old

  But you know how that saying goes

  Revenge is best served cold

  You tore me down

  I struggle to get up

  I see you coming near

  Feels like you hit me with a truck

  I wanted you in my life

  How much does that suck

  Play it back, remind me now

  I’ll forget with any luck

  Maybe you’re right

  Maybe I can forgive

  Waiting for the past to change

  That’s no way to live

  You tore me down

  I struggle to get up

  I see you coming near

  Feels like you hit me with a truck

  I wanted you in my life

  How much does that suck

  Play it back, remind me now

  I’ll forget with any luck

  Acknowledgments

  I would first like to thank my wonderful husband, Andrew Simon, to whom this book is also dedicated. Without him, For the Record would not exist. Thank you for the years of love and encouragement, for routing Melbourne’s tour even though I was more demanding than a real manager, and for believing that going to your clients’ shows qualifies as a date. I’m happy to be your plus one!

  Thank you to my spectacular agent, Adriann Ranta, for believing in this story even before it was written and for pushing me to make it better. Adriann is a total rock star, and I’m so privileged to be represented by her.

  I couldn’t ask for a wiser, kinder, or more insightful editor than Wendy Loggia. For the Record has benefited so much from her talent and expertise. I feel incredibly fortunate to have this debut experience with her.

  Thanks also to the rest of the Delacorte team, including Krista Vitola, Angela Carlino, Jennifer Prior, Kerry Johnson, and Anna Gjesteby. Their hard work on behalf of this book is so appreciated.

  I’m indebted to Chandler Baker and Michelle Krys, two writer friends who’ve made all the difference. Without them, the dream of getting agented and published would have seemed impossible. I’ve also come to rely on many of the amazing writers in my debut author groups, the Freshman Fifteens, the Class of 2k15, and the Fearless Fifteeners. The support and advice I’ve found there have been invaluable.

  I’m grateful to early manuscript readers, including Andrew (again), Chandler (again), Laura Fallon, Kerri J. Sparks, and Elisa Stumph. Their comments and contributions were essential to this story.

  Huge thanks to the sweet friends who answered numerous music-related questions: David Bason, Mark Shulman, Mark Holloway, Maureen Kenny, and especially Patrick Stump. And to all the wonderful guys in Fall Out Boy, thanks for letting me crash your backstage hang all these years. In fact, thank you to all my husband’s clients and colleagues who have knowingly or unknowingly informed this project. I have been inspired by so many of you.

  I have the loveliest friends, who have been encouraging of me as a writer. A heartfelt thank-you to every one of them, especially Caroline Tse, who designed my website and book swag. Likewise to my relatives in the Chen, Huang, Simon, and Breen families.

  I will be forever grateful to my mom and dad, who never said no to any book purchase and instilled in me a lifelong love of reading.

  Love and hugs to my beautiful boys, Jackson and Elliott, for their curiosity about my writing and for generally making my life amazing.

  Thank you to the readers and bloggers who let me know that they were eagerly anticipating this book. That made me happier than you can imagine. And lastly, thank you to anyone reading this book. I hope you enjoy it.

  About the Author

  Charlotte Huang grew up near Boston, graduated from Smith College, and received an MBA from Columbia Business School. She lives in Los Angeles. When not glued to her computer, she cheers her two sons on at sporting events and sometimes manages to stay up late enough to check out bands with her music-agent husband. For the Record is her first novel.

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