Javier has had a crush on his friend, Caroline, for the last two years. But he's never told her how he feels. One morning, Javi decides to take Caroline on an adventure he hopes she'll never forget, even if it might land him in jail. ******* It's the last summer before university, and Javier Giordano is in Monaco, spending most of his time on his dad's yacht. But for Javi, the best part about being in Monaco is getting to see Caroline. They're just friends, but he wishes they were more. One night, Javier throws a party on the yacht, and things were going well until he danced with a girl who Caroline cannot stand. It was a momentary lapse in judgment, helped by some beer, but now he wants to make it up to her. So while Caroline is asleep in his room, Javi comes up with a plan to go on an adventure around the Mediterranean Coast. But on their impromptu trip, Javier, Caroline and their friends discover more than they bargained for. ----- *Open Novella Contest 2020 Longlister* Open Novella Contest 2020 Based on Prompt #11: We woke up and had breakfast out on the deck; like we did every morning. And long story short, we are no longer welcome in Monaco.

UNEDITED Calla Henrik's family runs the best ATV business in town, and she's ready to take over the family business for the summer while her parents go on a much-needed vacation. She's ready to earn some money before she attends the University of Alberta to become a conservation officer. Calla loves teaching kids how to ride dirtbikes, socializing with the regulars who visit the trail system for the day, and taking care of the campsite and trails. She's prepared for a relaxed summer, one where she spends all her time doing the one thing she loves. Maddox Kase wants nothing more than to get the hell out of his house. Being the son of one of the most infamous drug dealers in the BC Interior doesn't have its perks. From being abused by his father to being judged before he's even given a chance, Maddox is tired of dealing with people. All he wants is to get away from his home for the summer before he leaves for university. So when he sees an ad online about a job teaching kids how to ride dirtbikes, Maddox sends in his resumé immediately. What's better than nursing one of his passions (dirt biking) and getting away from his psychotic father? Calla has heard of Maddox Kase before, and although she knows it's impolite to judge people without getting to know them, she's a little skeptical of working with him. But as the summer goes on, both Calla and Maddox begin to realize that they have a lot more in common than they originally thought. And maybe something a lot bigger than a simple friendship...

UNEDITED Best friends. Neighbours. And a spark that can't be ignored... Emyln Walker and Hainsey Stone have been best friends since grade five, but just after their relationship takes a big step, Emyln's parents divorce and she's moving to a different city, leaving Hainsey alone in the beautiful city of Whistler, BC. Five years later, Emyln returns to Whistler to meet her new family of strangers: a mom she hasn't seen in five years, a stepdad, and two stepsiblings. She's not particularly excited about the idea, but a strong tie from her past has enough of a hold to make her stay. The last thing Hainsey needs is Emyln turning up, bringing old memories with her and opening old wounds. But Emyln -- even better looking than Hainsey remembers -- seems determined to rekindle what she left behind; revive their friendship no matter how much Hainsey tries to push her away. Since her departure, he's been facing demons of his own. With a dad that walked out with another woman, and a mom that's a heroin addict, Hainsey has been struggling to keep his head above water for the past five years. Working two jobs, he barely makes enough money to pay the bills, let alone be the one who has to retrieve and pay for the drugs in order to keep his mom happy. Hainsey is playing a dangerous game that he doesn't want Emyln, his childhood best friend -- and sweetheart -- to know about. Forced to work together over the summer, Hainsey can't help but start falling for Emyln, and soon they're in the midst of a passionate romance that neither of them wants to end. But both Hainsey and Emyln know that if they want this relationship to last, they need to confront the past and the present -- both containing events and decisions that they want to stay buried.