The Way to Game the Walk of Shame(83)
Section 1: Relationship requirements in public eye
1.1 Public Displays of Affection. Hand holding and kisses on the cheek are acceptable in public at school. Anything more has to be discussed and agreed upon by both parties.
1.2 Pet Names. Pet names aren’t required unless in extremely romantic situations. Ex. Valentine’s Day or a birthday. Even then, they only need to be used when within hearing distance of other people.
1.3 Dates. At least once a week, both parties will go on a proper date to show that they’re in a real relationship. Ex. Movies, dinner, or even library study dates will work.
Section 2: Prohibited
2.1 While in this relationship, neither party will date nor have any inappropriate interactions with the opposite sex unless approved by the other party. This includes flirting in person, texting, or online.
2.2 Obviously any mention of this contract to anyone will violate this entire agreement and the Ultimate Punishment will be enforced. (Ultimate Punishment will be decided upon later.)
-This rule excludes Carly because she basically came up with this idea and is privy to any and all secrets. Not to mention, she’ll find out about this anyway with her secret snooping powers.
Section 3: Miscellaneous
3.1 If asked by anyone, the evolution of our relationship/“love” is explained in detail in the following pages. The short version is below. Also note that our relationship was already official and underway when the events of “TPTSNBM” happened.
“Although Evan and Taylor already knew each other, they never actually officially met until a fateful afternoon at Starbucks two months ago. They both ordered a mocha latte, but Evan’s had skim milk, which the waitress accidentally gave to Taylor. After exchanging the lattes, Evan was so occupied watching Taylor walk away that he stepped into the street and nearly got run over by a black SUV. Luckily, her warning shout made him jump back on the curb in the nick of time. After Taylor checked on him to make sure he was okay, Evan asked her out to dinner to thank her for saving him. At first, Taylor declined since he wasn’t exactly her type, but he persisted by showing up at her house with a fresh mocha latte every single morning before school until she accepted.
Since then, they talked on the phone and went on dates for over two months before officially going out. The party was their way of debuting their relationship to the world.”
Both parties will agree to all the terms and conditions upon signing of the contract.
Sign name ________________________________
Sign name ________________________________
*Note to self: When typing up the final draft, make it sound more legal and fierce to freak Evan into signing. Intimidation for the win!
Also borrow Dad’s legal stationery. The one with the ivory letterhead.
Should I get it laminated afterward?
A Coffee Date
with author Jenn P. Nguyen and her editor, Holly West
“About the Author”
Holly West (HW): What was the very first romance novel that you ever read?
Jenn P. Nguyen (JN): I think the first romance novel I ever read was in sixth grade. I don’t remember the author or the title or anything, probably because I was trying to hide in the cafeteria when I was reading it. But it was a medieval story about two feuding families, and for some reason the youngest and only girl was masquerading as a boy. I don’t know why. And then the other family had a guy who met her and fell in love with her. And they got married even though she didn’t really like him. Probably because he was cocky. They’re usually cocky. And they just got better. I don’t remember the ending, but I do remember that much.
HW: That feels very familiar to me. It sounds like a Johanna Lindsey book, but I don’t remember the title either.
JN: I’ve read a lot of Johanna Lindsey books and I haven’t seen it. So I don’t think it’s hers because I read her books. But I always wanted to know what that book was.
HW: I’m curious now, too! Maybe one of your readers will know and can send a tweet to @JennP_Nguyen and @Holliambria to solve the puzzle.
JN: It was like 15 years ago, if that helps.
HW: Keeping with our romantic theme, do you have an OTP (One True Pairing)? A favorite fictional couple?
JN: That’s really hard. I’m kind of a serial fan where I like all types of couples as long as I’m reading them. I like all the couples in Stephanie Perkins, I like Jessica and Marcus in The Sloppy Firsts, the Jessica Darling books. Of course, everyone has to like Elizabeth and Darcy, but I actually like—I might get yelled at for this—I like the Lizzie and Darcy from The Lizzie Bennett Diaries on YouTube better. And technically that’s a book now, so it’s still literary. I mean, I even shipped Edward and Bella at one point. So just anybody, really.
HW: That’s fine. I tend to pick an OTP in everything that I read. Or if I’m watching shows I’ll be like, “I’m going to ship THIS couple in this show.”
JN: Oh, don’t get me started on shows. It would be a while.
HW: And my personal favorite question: If you were a superhero, what would your superpower be?
JN: I would like to be able to teleport places, because then I could visit wherever I wanted, and also eat anything I wanted whenever I wanted it. Croissants from France, sushi from Japan, definitely pizza from Italy—and not have to worry about the plane and security lines and all of that.
“The Swoon Reads Experience”