"We all live, Emily, and we all die. It's part of being human, but more than that, it's part of being alive. I'm proud to say that I lived, and when I die, I want you to be proud too." Emily knows a lot about life. She does, after all, have sixteen years of hands on experience. But when her best friend is diagnosed with a terminal illness, the time has come to find out what he can teach her about death.

It started with ridicule, because Dillon was a ridiculous name for a girl and Pete Lennon was an unfortunate play on words, but blossomed into an unlikely friendship based on hatred of The Beatles and group therapy. "Can I tell you something?" "Of course, Pete." "I... Jesus, I don't know how to word this without sounding like a complete idiot. Okay, I... I feel like this was our plan. Our destiny. To meet, ya' know. Because, if there's anyone in the world who knows what this shitty feeling feels like, it's you. I'm glad you don't coddle me or act like my childhood was some horror movie. I'm glad you're the one who gets me." After a moment, I said, "You're right." His blue eyes looked like neon, irises reflecting the glow of Main Street. His brows furrowed, and he asked, "About what?" "You do sound like an idiot."