Chapter One - The Sweetest Thing
Introduction to Emily and several other characters, where Emily lives and goes to school, a glimpse of her past, and some of her views on life.

Chapter Two - Superstar
Full introduction to Nick. Emily heads off to band camp and meets her new instructor and a young girl who has a surprising link to Emily's past. She saves Rick Anderson's life on an obstacle course.

Chapter Three - The Marching Band Blues
Emily meets Aaron and starts getting to know him. Outlines difficulties the band is having with the new instructor.

Chapter Four - The Dead of the Year
Emily is rather unenthusiastic about her senior year homecoming. She gets her first job at Hudson's (before it became Marshall Field's, of course). She briefly hooks up with Andrew Thompson.

Chapter Five - When the Seniors Hit the Wall
The seniors have their show at the last home football game of the season. They go against the band instructor's orders to march with the rest of the band during the show (per tradition, the seniors choose to stand in their own line). There is a banquet a few nights later and Emily receives awards, but feels a bit uneasy about everything.

Chapter Six - Antigone and Ismene
Emily plays the part of Ismene in her English class production of the play--a part that perfectly fits her. Mr. Minuzo sends a letter to the marching band seniors telling them that they are no longer a part of the band because of their senior show performance. Parents, teachers, administrators and the seniors duke it out, and a humiliated Emily is caught in the mix.

Chapter Seven - Merry Christmas, Emily!
Emily renews her friendship with Nick. He flirts with her in the library, and at the Christmas concert, she confides in him with her crush on Aaron Burnley.

Chapter Eight - The Truth About Amanda
Amanda asks Emily to help her with some math at her house. Emily discovers that Amanda's family is quite poor - and that she is Nate Wallace's ex-girlfriend - and she and Nate have a baby girl, Andrea! I personally think this chapter is a bit soap-opera-ish, so suggestions are welcomed on this one.

Chapter Nine - The Best of Times
Emily asks Aaron to the Sadie Hawkins dance, and he accepts. Later, she and Betsy nearly get into an argument at her house about the way that Betsy's boyfriend treats her.