Book 1 of the #PAIN series Whoever said academic rivals are a "vibe" deserves a punch in their face. For Park Mellon and Rainer Barcross, rivalry is religion. Since seventh grade, they've been locked in a war of grades, grit, and grudges. Now, with only one scholarship standing between them and their dream film school, their feud is about to turn cinematic. But beneath the sharp comebacks and staged indifference, there's something neither of them will admit: a tension too dangerous to name, and a history too raw to forget. Because when two people burn this bright, it's never just rivalry. It's survival. And at the end of every story like theirs, someone always gets scorched. Good boy x bad girl is adorable; bad boy x good girl is a loved cliche. But what about when they're both bad? Welcome to Pencils & Polaroids. It's a land of no heroes. Only villains.

Dilara Caesar moved to Stanford Hill after going to a private school her whole life, she wants to live her senior year as a normal high school student. The Giovanni's are one of the most dangerous mafia groups in California, but no one in their school knows that. Dilara crosses paths with Adriano Giovanni and her plans of having a normal senior year go up in flames.

Winning a steamy date with a super hot millionaire sounds like a dream. For Bailey Reid, however, it's a nightmare that could just upend everything she's ever worked for. Bailey is a former foster child with a passion for helping troubled youth. Jonathan Berrington is born from privilege, prejudice, and old money. When Bailey wins a Date of a Lifetime with him at a charity auction, sparks fly. The only problem? Bailey recognizes him as the boy who broke her heart when they were children, and he doesn't remember her at all. Now, in between glamorous boat rides, passionate nights, and extravagant family parties, Bailey must make a choice: reveal the truth about who she is, or lose her first love forever. Because the playboy millionaire who never commits is falling for her-and secrets always come out, whether Bailey likes it or not.

Anybody who is a somebody knows that the blue-blooded heirs of Queens Erlington Academy keep secrets. Never fall in love with a blue blood, or you'll become another one of their secrets. "I'm into girls who I'd forget," he pointed out, eyebrow arching. "And you, you are not forgettable."

[Wattys 2023 Grand Prize Winner] After an eight-hour flight sitting next to her high school nemesis Jackson Carter, fashion designer and barista Isabelle Curtis thought that would finally be the last she would see of him. But as the saying goes, famous last words. * * * Isabelle Curtis and Jackson Carter were fierce academic rivals in high school, up until Jackson moved to the UK in junior year for boarding school. Eight years later, Jackson has returned from abroad to take on the role of CEO at his late father's company. When Isabelle and Jackson meet again, there's a war of words, banter and a passionate dislike towards each other. Throw in a high school reunion, some more chaos, and a 'deal' in the mix-one that might just involve a little faking and pretending. It's all fun and games and tit for tat, almost just like in high school, until real feelings become involved...

*This story starts off right where Dilara ended, so if you haven't read that I recommend that you do and then come back to this book xx* **************** It's been two years since everything fell apart and He didn't really let her go. Dilara is growing and getting stronger everyday, plotting a way to trap Adriano and make him pay. 'He ruined me, and it's only fair that I return the favour.' Adriano has the same plans. Dilara is weaving her way into his head and he wants to get rid of it once and for all. Things are also stirring between these two mafias, big bad things. Who can be trusted? And who will make them pay with their lives?