Been Here All Along (22 page)

“The Swoon Reads Experience (Continues!)”

HW: What has been your favorite thing about being a Swoon Reads author?

SH: I love watching the process for the other authors. It's sort of an interesting position, because sometimes I know things before they happen and sometimes I don't. But I love keeping up with all of them on social media and seeing how things are going for them.

HW: This is your third Swoon Reads novel. Have you got the process down now, or is it different every time?

SH: It's a funny thing, but my process has definitely been different for each book and it continues to change. Writing
A Little Something Different
felt completely different than
Signs Point to Yes
, which felt completely different than
Been Here All Along
. I keep finding new and better ways to plan and write. I do a little of this and a little of that these days. I don't think I'll ever find the magical formula to writing a book, and that's probably a good thing. It keeps me guessing.

HW: What question do you get asked the most by your fans?

SH: Most of the questions I get are still
A Little Something Different
related because that's the one more people have read. I love when people ask if it's okay to like Victor. They're always so ashamed of their love for him. But I totally understand. He's the guy you love to hate.

“The Writing Life (Goes Ever On)”

HW: Where did you get the inspiration for
Been Here All Along
?

SH: It 100 percent came from you. And I guess Taylor Swift, since she gave the world that catchy little tune “You Belong with Me.” I was totally into it once you laid out your idea, and I couldn't stop thinking about it for a month or two before I got around to planning it. But without your suggestions, it wouldn't exist.

HW: Well, I'm SO glad that you took my idea and ran with it! What's your favorite part of the writing process?

SH: PLANNING. I could plan forever, just listening to the new characters roll around in my head and start talking to me and each other. I love imagining scenarios and figuring out where they should go in the book. I love the actual writing, too, but that's more of a challenge and more about technique. The creative part for me really happens in the planning stages, and I love it.

HW: Got any advice you want to share with other authors?

SH:
READ. I'm one of the worst offenders when it comes to keeping up with my TBR pile. I have a lot of trouble reading for pleasure while I'm in the middle of writing or editing. I end up going a month without picking up a book. And when I do, I remember how much I love reading. Authors really do need to make time for it.

 

Discussion Questions

1. Over the course of the story, Kyle learns that he has dyslexia and Gideon realizes he's gay. How do you think these new discoveries change how they view themselves positively or negatively?
   
2. If, like Ezra, you decided to skip college right after high school, where would you go and what would you do?
   
3. Gideon decides to get drunk at Maddie's party and come out to his friends. Do you think that's a good idea? What advice would you give him?
   
4. As best friends, Gideon knew a lot of good and bad things about Kyle. Do you think Gideon's mean list about Kyle was fair? Why or why not?
   
5. Who do you think is the most reliable point-of-view narrator and why?
   
6. Why did Kyle wait so long to come out to Ruby? Was it fair of her to get so upset?
   
7. After the list comes out, Ruby decides she wants to start taking more responsibility for her actions. In the end, who do you think was most responsible for the list getting published? How would you react if you were in this situation?
   
8. Have you ever felt as jealous of someone as Ruby felt about Gideon? Did you sympathize with her in any way?
   
9. When Kyle broke up with Ruby, she told him that she was going to tell everyone that she broke up with him instead. Why do you think image played such an important role in Ruby's life?
   
10. All of the point-of-view narrators in this story are hiding something at some point. (Gideon's gay, Kyle's failing English, Ruby's family has financial problems, and Ezra ran out of money.) Why do you think it was so difficult for them to share their secrets?
    

 

SWOONING FOR
SANDY HALL
?

Don't miss her other swoonworthy novels:

A Little Something Different

Fourteen viewpoints. One love story.

The creative writing teacher, the delivery guy, the local Starbucks barista, his best friend, her roommate, and the squirrel in the park all have one thing in common—they believe that Gabe and Lea should get together.

Signs Point to Yes

The most adorkable romance ever!

When a superstitious fangirl's emergency babysitting job puts her in awkward proximity to her new crush, a nerdy-hot lifeguard with problems of his own, even her Magic 8 ball can't predict the turn their summer will take.

 

A romantic European vacation is the perfect excuse to let go.

EVERYONE KNOWS THAT
Nathan is in love with his best friend, Preston … everyone except Preston. Will Nathan find the courage to speak up, or will he lose his chance at love with the best friend he's ever had?

 

One

NATHAN WAS RIGHT
where he wanted to be—hands clasped and biting down on the tips of his thumbs in a futile attempt at settling the tendrils of nerves coiling in his stomach. Maybe at the moment it didn't seem like he wanted to be where he was, considering his legs bobbed as he sat among the multitude of family and friends cheering on loved ones currently competing for a coveted spot in the Bennett Club. But yes, he was right where he
needed
to be—aging ten years in a matter of minutes. He wouldn't be surprised if he walked out of that facility with gray at his temples. God forbid.

The prestigious, privately owned swimming club in Colorado that Preston was trying out for boasted of producing the best of the best. Any kid who dreamed of being a champion swimmer dreamed of being coached by Bobby Bennett. Banners suspended along the walls of the gigantic state-of-the-art facility featured twenty-foot pictures of past Olympians—medals and fists raised in triumph. They were undeniable proof of results.

His gaze slipped to the empty seat next to him, where his sister Natasha would have sat had she not made some lame excuse for not coming along. In fact, they all should have been there cheering Preston on. But Caleb had classes at Loyola he couldn't miss.

Nathan sighed. He could still remember the absolute determination on Preston's face when the invite had been delivered via special courier. The envelope came a couple of days after his cousin canceled their European adventure to sweep Didi—now his girlfriend—off her feet. Only about a hundred were given out every year. And only a handful of swimmers were actually chosen. It was akin to finding the golden ticket wrapped around a chocolate bar. Preston hadn't even finished reading the letter before he had dropped everything and started packing.

For years one of Nathan's favorite things to do—besides planning magnificent parties—was watch Preston swim. It was like watching performance art. The way his arms sliced through the water, each stroke pulling him forward with speed and precision. The way his back muscles flexed took Nathan's breath away every time. It must be the closest someone could get to the perfect balance between physicality, endurance, and concentration.

Well, maybe not right this instant, since the swimming god was completely botching things.

“What the hell are you doing?” Nathan yelled, jumping to his feet and shoving his fingers through his dark brown hair—a Parker trait he shared with his twin sister and cousin. If strands happened to separate from his scalp from pulling too hard, he didn't care.

His shoulders tensed when Preston finished third in the hundred-meter freestyle. He removed his goggles and swimming cap in one smooth pull. Panting, he looked up at the digital board displaying lap times.

Even from afar Nathan could feel the frustration radiating off his friend. To qualify for Team USA, a swimmer had to finish at least second in his respective event. Anything less was unacceptable.

Time for an ass-kicking.

*   *   *

To say Preston ate, slept, and breathed swimming was an understatement. It wasn't even a stretch to say he devoted every waking moment to the sport. As soon as he was old enough to figure out how to hold his breath underwater, he'd been a swimmer. He knew nothing else. Didn't want to do anything else. Watching Michael Phelps bring home seven gold medals in a single Olympics set his benchmark. His ultimate goal.

And what a complete loser he'd been all day.

Beyond frustrated, Preston slapped his hands on the pool's edge and heaved himself up. He hadn't always been this wobbly in the water. Coming in third? He couldn't even remember the last time that had happened. He should have been kicking their asses. There were only a few heats left. If he didn't make something happen soon, he could kiss joining Coach Bennett's team good-bye.

Sure, he might still be able to train elsewhere in preparation for the Olympic Trials in June next year, but it wouldn't be the same. Being part of the Bennett Club would give him the edge he needed. It was already the end of August. Many of the other private clubs were full, and he'd said no to all the collegiate team coaches for this, his best chance at becoming an Olympian—and he was sucking spectacularly. Maybe he should have kept his options open.

Fuck.

He snorted into the towel thrown at him by one of the staff. As far as he was concerned, Coach Bennett was it. The dream coach. If he couldn't make it into the Bennett Club, then what else was there for him?

Nothing.

“What the hell do you think you're doing?”

He lifted his face from the towel to stare into the blazing blue eyes of the one person unafraid to call him out on his shit. At five foot ten, Nathan was in full battle mode.

“I just can't seem to gain my stride,” Preston said, irritation at himself leaking into his words.

“Of course not,” Nathan said. “You're too in your head about this.”

Preston slanted a glance over to the silver-haired man in a blue jacket watching the swimmers with a keen eye and a stern expression. “I thought maybe…”

The slap on his chest forced him to return his gaze to Nathan. In a lime-green sweater and white slacks, he stood out among the men and women strutting around in tight Speedos. Yet something about the confidence in his stance made him fit in anywhere.

“Don't think about Bennett. No one cares about him.”

Um, maybe I do?
Preston thought.

But maybe that was it? That he cared way too much?