When the naturally gifted kid meets the academic burn out, seeking validation. ☆彡⁂⁂⁂⁂⁂⁂⁂⁂⁂ミ★ Genesis Sikazwe had always felt invisible, she was always "the other sister" and for the longest time it felt like she was always born to play second fiddle. Until a first chance encounter and a tragedy puts her right in the path of the boy who would change everything for her. Everyone knows there's something rather peculiar about the new student Rain Kiryu, something about him isn't quite right. Maybe it's the way his eyes are like mirrors, sharp silver and the kind that strip you bare. Maybe it's the way he seems to know everything and soared to the top of the class. Or maybe it's the fact that he can't keep his eyes off Genesis, even though their hatred for each other courses like heat through their veins. Or perhaps it's that he was never really new at all... What happens when the two are forced to work on a risky class project together at the university? Rumor has it that desire burns in forced proximity and secrets and lies are to be revealed, that what was once hidden will come to light.

❝ Things are only as beautiful as you make them, Charlie. Including murder. ❞ It's the opening night of Burton Abbey's production of Romeo and Juliet and all is going smoothly - that is until the climactic death scene. Romeo takes a big gulp of the poison to be with his lover, except it really is poison and Elijah, who plays Romeo, is now dead. Charlie Monet, in charge of props, is the first suspect but soon the suspicion around her turns to worry as it seems she's the next target. Khaleel Rahim, an aspiring writer, is dying for a mystery to solve at his new school. When he sees Charlie sneaking around at night he thinks he's finally found something worth writing about. After discovering Charlie's ability to see visions of the past, Khaleel decides that they're the perfect pair to solve the mystery. With threatening notes, a quiet library and poison disguised as props; somebody in the school is blurring the lines between theatre and reality and the fast friends are about to discover that there's more to boarding school than just silly rumours. [2022 Watty's Shortlist]