Sharlene Fraser was a fifteen year old girl who always wished for the normal American family life. Sure she kept her grades up, lived in a house with her complete family and lived a normal everyday life, but none of those things were normal; She was a terrible student who never listened in class. She was distant from everyone in her family except for her sister, due to her dad's continuing battle with post traumatic stress. She would think about her wish everyday, until one day she finds out the truth about herself. Then suddenly, that wish had never seemed so far away.

Every summer is the same-old, same-old for Ella and Austin; but this year is going to be different. This year they created a summer bucket list. {Warning} Contains some mature content. ~Disclaimer~ This story is in no way acurate to a lot of things, so please don't get mad if something is wrong with it. I just throw in what I think is right, and it's all off the top of my head. Other then that I hope you enjoy!

Sometimes all you really need is a place to call home. *** Claire is lost and scared and utterly alone. Her family is in shambles after the death of her older sister Ina, and she's left to pick up the broken pieces of herself as her life heads into a downwards spiral of loneliness. Her heart leads her to 5:48, a little cafe by 33rd street, where she finds her new home. With a broken heart and a speech disability, Jasper has his heart and mouth sewn shut by the winding threads of hurt and fear. Painting and serving coffee in cafe 5:48 are one of his last few saving graces, but the smile he's been painting on himself will soon fade away as everything he's ever held dear slips away from his grasp. Ezra is out-of-sync and oddly cold by the way life has treated his young self. Abandoned by his single mother at an early age, he has grown up thinking that he is a mistake. His constant shaking hands are a reflection of what he often thinks of himself, but the delightful pastries he bakes for 5:48's customers are a reflection of what others see of him. Drew is a quirky rarity. He is a dash of loud, a pinch of exuberant, and a cup of eccentric - just like the meals he serves in the cafe as the only chef there. Behind his playful grins and outlandish clothes, however, are his jutting ribs, hollowed cheeks, and too-thin arms. Sometimes he cannot stomach being in his own skin as much as he cannot stomach food. This family has gone a long way from finding each other, and they'll be going a long way together too as reality comes catching up to them, threatening the newfound happiness they've found with each other. Secrets are revealed, pasts become presents, and lives are changed. Slowly but surely, they find their way back home. *** NOTE AS OF 08/2026: This is the old version of the story from 2012, posted in FULL. Another story that will be considered a reprise of this old version is in the works, and will be posted under the name "Hiraya House."

Emma Blake is ready for a change from her monotonous life in Los Angeles. So when her boyfriend Roy suggests they go to grad school abroad in Spain, she's all for the adventure. New city, new life, new friends. What could possibly go wrong? Max Durant is excited to be back home in Madrid and take a much needed break from his hectic life in London. He was looking forward to a new challenge in school...until it materializes in the feistiest girl he ever met on a basketball court. There's something about her that simply makes his blood boil and he becomes instantly hooked. But then his world comes to a screeching halt when he realizes she's already taken. Despite the obvious warning signs and potential disaster, Emma and Max become close friends when they're forced together as partners in the same study group. When the lines start to blur and things begin to unravel, Emma must decide if she should hold on to her past...or take a risk in her future.

Lin and Jake had been friends with benefits since high school. After awhile they decided its not right anymore. When Lin went to college in New York and Jake living his rocking life. They became friends with benefits again. But this time it's a different kind of benefit. Lin has to marry Jake to have Visa to keep her job but there are people in the way.

The passionate story of Tessa and Hardin continues as family secrets, deep betrayals, and career opportunities threaten to tear them apart.