The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea (26 page)

Shim Cheong is last. She sweeps me into her arms. “Mina,” she says. “
Th
ank you.
Th
ank you for everything.”

“No,” I say. “
Th
e truth is, you're the one that I am most thankful for.” She starts to protest, but I hold her close. “Your story has been told over and over again, by everyone but you. I might have jumped into the sea to save Joon, but it was your hesitation that gave me the courage. With everyone and everything pushing you toward the Sea God and a fate not of your choosing, you looked back to what you wanted. And because of that, to me,
you
are the Sea God's bride.
Th
e girl who, by saving herself, saves the world.”

I hold Cheong for a moment longer, then step back.

“Mina.” Shin waits, holding one hand out toward me.

I take it, and with a smile, I tell him, “Let's go home.”

 

Th
e Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea
is truly the book of my heart, and I am so grateful to everyone who has come along with me on this long and most rewarding of journeys. To my agent, Patricia Nelson, whose unwavering belief in Mina's story gave me the courage to see through the hard times and to truly appreciate the good times. To my editor, Emily Settle, never in my wildest dreams could I imagine a more perfect editor for
Girl
than you.

To my genius cover designer, Rich Deas, and wildly talented artist, Kuri Huang—thank you for creating the most beautiful cover an author could ask for.

To the team at Feiwel and Friends, especially Starr Baer, Dawn Ryan, Michelle Gengaro, and Kim Waymer: It's an absolute dream come true to work with all of you. And to the team at Hodder, thank you for welcoming my book with such warm enthusiasm.

I finished the first draft of
Th
e Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea
while attending Lesley University's MFA program, and an unforgettable moment for me was reading aloud the first chapter at graduation with all my mentors, family, and friends in the
audience.
Th
ank you to the incredible faculty at Lesley, particularly Susan Goodman, Tracey Baptiste, Michelle Knudsen, Jason Reynolds, and David Elliott, as well as my extraordinarily talented and hilarious cohort: Stephanie Willing, Devon Van Essen, Candice Iloh, Michelle Calero, and Gaby Brabazon.

To the readers who gave feedback early on, I am forever grateful: Cynthia Mun, Ellen Oh, Nafiza Azad, Amanda Foody, Amanda Haas, and Ashley Burdin.
Th
is book would not be what it is today if not for you. To my critique partners: Janella Angeles, Alex Castellanos, Maddy Colis, Mara Fitzgerald, Christine Lynn Herman, Erin Rose Kim, Claribel Ortega, Katy Rose Pool, Akshaya Raman, Meg RK, Tara Sim, and Melody Simpson. I'm in awe of all your talent and so honored to be a part of this group of writers! And to my dear friends: Karuna Riazi, David Slayton, Michelle
Th
inh Santiago, Veeda Bybee, Sonja Swanson, Lauren Rha, and Ashley and Michelle Kim—your support has meant the world to me.

Th
e Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea
is about a lot of things, but to me, it's first and foremost about family. To mine: the AZ Chos, Como Helen, Uncle Doosang, Adam, Sara, Wyatt, Alexander, Saqi, Noah, Ellie, and Zak; the FL Chos, Como Katie, Uncle Dave, Katherine, Jennifer, Jim, and Lucy; the DePopes, Como Sara, Uncle Warren, Christine, Kevin, and Scott; the Goldsteins, Como Mary, Uncle Barry, Bryan, and Josh; Heegum Samchon and
; Heemong Samchon, Aunt Haewon, Wusung, Bosung, Minnie, Josiah, and Ellie; Heesung Samchon,
, Boosung, Susie, and Sandy; Emo, Emo Boo, Chuljoong Oppa, Nahyun, Bokyung Eonni, and Seojun. And to Toro, the best boy! I love you all so much.

To my brother, Jason.
Th
ere's a reason Mina's story began with her chasing after her brother. Because he was her whole world. I love you, and I miss you.

To my paternal grandparents,
and
, and my maternal grandparents,
and
—thank you for showing me by example that there are no limits to what I can achieve.

To Mom, Dad, and Camille:
Th
ank you for being the best, most supportive, and loving family.

To my readers, new and old—this one's for you!

 

 

Thank you for reading this Feiwel & Friends book. The friends who made
The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea
possible are:

Jean Feiwel, Publisher

Liz Szabla, Associate Publisher

Rich Deas, Senior Creative Director

Holly West, Senior Editor

Anna Roberto, Senior Editor

Kat Brzozowski, Senior Editor

Dawn Ryan, Senior Managing Editor

Emily Settle, Associate Editor

Erin Siu, Associate Editor

Foyinsi Adegbonmire, Associate Editor

Rachel Diebel, Assistant Editor

Starr Baer, Associate Copy Chief

Kim Waymer, Senior Production Manager

Helen Seachrist, Senior Production Editor

Michelle Gengaro, Designer

Follow us on Facebook or visit us online at
mackids.com
. Our books are friends for life.

 

Axie Oh
is a first-generation Korean American, born in New York City and raised in New Jersey. She studied Korean history and creative writing as an undergrad at the University of California San Diego and holds an MFA in Writing for Young People from Lesley University. Her passions include K-pop, anime, stationery supplies, and milk tea, and she currently resides in Las Vegas, Nevada, with her dog, Toro (named after Totoro).

Visit her online at
axieoh.com
, or sign up for email updates
here
.