Alex always knew she didn't quite fit the mold, but she's never been able to figure out why. In the blur of basketball practice, AOL instant messenger chats, and the high school gossip mill of 1999, Alex is caught in a whirlwind of self-discovery. She's exploring new feelings, testing boundaries, and crafting a whole new identity-online and off. Pretending to be "Zack," a confident and charming boy on AIM, was supposed to be a harmless joke, but it quickly turns into something more. Zack is everything Alex wishes she could be-bold, sure of himself, and effortlessly cool. But as Alex navigates her growing feelings for her best friend Whitney, the confusing allure of Nathan, and the complicated web of lies she's built online, she's forced to confront the question: Who am I, really? Perfect for fans of Heartstopper, Perks of Being a Wallflower, and Eleanor & Park, The Inbetween is a heartfelt exploration of identity, first love, and the messy, beautiful process of figuring out who you are-when you're not sure where you fit.