[This story is free as of February 10, 2021] "Move over A Walk to Remember, and make way for one of the most heartwarming stories this side of Wattpad. It's so cute, I could cry (again)." - Grace @ HQ After tragedy strikes, Nolan loses all faith and never expects to love, let alone smile again until Nora-perky and persistent-walks into his life. ***** 15-year-old Nolan Haynes has everything. A loving family, a promising future as a filmmaker, and a pretty cool group of friends. That is until tragedy strikes and he's forced to move towns. Nolan vows never to let anyone in ever again-they always leave. But on a summer day two years later, when the super upbeat, Nora walks to his lunch table-Nolan has to try a bit harder to keep a smile off his face. Little does he know that Nora is fighting a battle of her own, one that no one could even imagine. And as the two get closer, they not only find solace in each other but in God. When Nolan is faced with a situation in which he has to break Nora's trust to protect her, can their budding relationship still stand and will God show up in all of this? [[word count: 80,000-90,000 words]] Content and/or Trigger Warning: This story contains scenes of verbal and physical abuse that may be triggering for some readers. NOTICE: Before the Morning is currently undergoing revisions! A sensitivity reader (someone who goes through your manuscript and assesses representations in your work) identified a number of issues surrounding the Filipino representation in BTM. I'm rewriting with the goal of creating a more authentic and respectful story. I'm sorry for the pain I caused by failing to include accurate Filipino culture and in having written from Nora's point of view.

Those who were taken... They never came back, dragged beneath the waves never to return. Their haunting screams were a symbol of their horrific deaths. Like shadows they lay in wait, the deep blue waters hiding them from view. With sharp claws they attack, Pointed fangs tearing into skin, Eager mouths devouring human flesh. Cally was taken, dragged under the water by one of the vicious creatures. But she was not devoured nor torn apart by ruthless claws--no. She was a captive. ~•~ Water instantly invades her senses. Her eyes sting, her lungs and nose burning. She thrashes, kicks, claws--anything to get away. Her efforts go to waste as her body slowly starts to shut down, the air in her lungs quickly being replaced by sea water. Cally is vaguely aware of arms wrapping around her waist and behind her head before she loses consciousness, submerged in darkness. And so she is taken. Another victim of the mysterious sea. 《Completed》 Subscribe to TheAllieL Patreon for exclusive stories and content not featured on Wattpad and to support future works and book publishing! - Free Subscriber Tier - Allie's Library - Tier 1 - $2/month - Allie's Journal - Tier 2 - $5/month Subscribe here: Patreon.com/TheAllieL