Cure for the Common Universe (32 page)

John Cusick, thank you for taking me on in a package deal, for giving me invaluable notes on early drafts, and for turning me into a professional writer. I remember the day when your s stopped saying “Hey, pal” and started saying “Hello, sir.” That was a good day.

Thank you, Christian Trimmer, for putting up with my sarcasm, and then repaying me tenfold by telling me the book was canceled after I turned it in nine hours late. Thank you for raising the bar on my writing and for turning this story into something true.

Thank you to the rest of the wonderful folks at Simon & Schuster
BFYR, including Justin Chanda, Chrissy Noh, Katy Hershberger, Jenica Nasworthy, and Catherine Laudone. And, of course, a big firework thank-you to Greg Stadnyk, who designed that gorgeous cover, and eBoy, who created the art.

Thank you to my early readers: Shar Petersen, Courtney Alameda, Annette Weed, Tommy Hamby, Christopher Turner, and Brian Green. Thank you, Brooke Kelly, for convincing me I had something worth pursuing; David Lawrence, for teaching me how stars actually work; Alan Grow, for infusing more tension and release into the early chapters; and Alan Mouritsen, for making sure Jaxon wasn't too fixed in the end.

Thank you, Dad, for always providing me with the tools to pursue my dreams, for teaching me tai chi and pottery, and for not being upset when I wanted to read instead. Thank you, Mom, for being so nauseatingly and wonderfully encouraging that I really had no choice but to succeed. No matter whose name is on the dedication, every book is for you.

Thank you, Breana Reichert, for helping me breathe life into Serena, Aurora, and Meeki. I cannot express how much heart and nuance you put into this story and into my life. I love you, honey bear.

Finally, Chris Chambers. The slither in the chimney. The crackle in the hearth. The best writer I know. Thank you for always being merriment in my life, thank you for cemetery strolls, for simple simple, and for coming up with the book title after three six-hour brainstorming sessions. I cannot express how much you did for this book, and I cannot wait for the rest of the world to read your stuff.

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This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author's imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Text copyright © 2016 by Christian Heidicker

Jacket illustration copyright © 2016 by eBoy

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Jacket design by Greg Stadnyk

Interior design by Hilary Zarycky

The text for this book was set in Electra.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Heidicker, Christian McKay, author.

Title: Cure for the common universe / Christian McKay Heidicker.

Description: First edition. | New York : Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, [2016]. | Summary: “Jaxon meets the girl of his dreams on the same day that his father ships him off to video game rehab. Now he must earn 1 million therapy points in a week, if he wants to be released from rehab in time for his date”— Provided by publisher.

Identifiers: LCCN 2015032260 | ISBN 9781481450270 (hardback) | ISBN 9781481450294 (eBook)

Subjects: | CYAC: Interpersonal relations—Fiction. | Self-Actualization (Psychology)—Fiction. | Rehabilitation—Fiction. | Video games—Fiction. | Dating (Social customs)—Fiction. | BISAC: JUVENILE FICTION / Social Issues / Friendship. | JUVENILE FICTION / Social Issues / Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance. | JUVENILE FICTION / Social Issues / Emotions & Feelings.

Classification: LCC PZ7.1.H444 Cur 2016 | DDC [Fic]—dc23

LC record available at
http://lccn.loc.gov/2015032260