This novel contains graphic sexual content and strong language. It is intended for mature readers. I met him at a carnival, of all corny places. The summer I turned eighteen, in that chaos of neon lights and cheap thrills, I met a man so sweet, so beautiful, he seemed to come from another world. We had one night: intense, scary, real. Then I ran, like I always do. Because I didn't want to be abandoned again. But I couldn't run far enough. I knew him as Evan that night. When I walked into his classroom, he became Mr. Wilke. My teacher. I don't know if what we're doing is wrong. The rules say one thing; my heart says screw the rules. I can't let him lose his job. And I can't lose him. In the movies, this would have a happy ending. I grow up. I love, I lose, I learn. And I move on. But this is life, and there's no script. You make it up as you go along. And you don't pray for a happy ending. You pray for it to never end.