2023 WATTY'S SHORTLIST When Finley Bowers decided to study abroad in England, he wasn't expecting to fall in love. But when Harlyn Evans shows up in his life, he brings a whole lot of goodness - and chaos - with him. *** Finley Bowers has always done what everyone expects of him. But the last few years have been rough, and he's decided to make his own decisions instead of what everyone else wants him to do. The first step is to get out of his tiny town and study in England for the semester with his best friend, Max. Little did he know three short months would change his whole life. Harlyn Evans is really good at taking care of everyone else. He's not as good at taking care of himself. And after a long semester of too many work hours, piles of schoolwork, and his family's host student freezing him out, he's wary when the new host student, Max, moves in for the term. But Max and his best friend draw him in in ways he never expected. As Finley and Harlyn get closer and try to figure out their feelings for each other, the end of the semester and Finley's return to the states looms in the distance. What will their future hold? COMPLETED: June 14, 2023 SMALL EDITS MADE: July 6, 2023

VERSION 1 "Have I ever told you how cute you are?" "I think that's enough alcohol for one night, your jokes aren't funny anymore." "It wasn't a joke though" 'Real sweet but I wish you were sober.' Alexander Halifax, an orphan from the age of 6, after the tragic car crash that instantly killed both his parents, now living alone in a small, crappy apartment with his fat cat, Chubs. In the past he got his young heart ripped to pieces after one -and what he wished was his last- relationship. So, he shut out anything related to that sickening feeling, until he laid his eyes upon the man, deemed the prince of his high school and a walking sun, Aether Andilet. Torn between love and hate, with the work of betrayal, alcohol, and Aether's pretty face, He finds himself spiraling down a whirlpool of love, confusion, and the past. warnings - sexual references, strong language. this is getting re - written! plot still structured around the title, but with more planned plot. V1 will not get edited no matter how many spelling errors/ plot holes as i cannot bring myself to.

Lucas Bennett has always been the best-best student, best friend, and above all, the best diver on the team. Confident, charismatic, and unstoppable, the water is his domain. But when Adrian Cruz, quiet, relentless, and just as talented, joins the team, Lucas's flawless world tilts off balance. What begins as a heated rivalry beneath the waves slowly transforms into something deeper, something neither of them expected. As they push each other harder, dive deeper, and chase the limits of their abilities, Lucas finds himself drawn to the mystery behind Adrian's stoic eyes. Tension simmers, glances linger, and somewhere between challenges and unspoken words, the lines between enemies and something more blur. But some waters are darker than they seem. When a forbidden dive lures them into uncharted depths, the thrill of competition becomes a test of trust, courage, and fragile connection. As the pressure rises and shadows close in, Lucas and Adrian must face the truth: sometimes, the deepest bonds are forged in the most dangerous places-and not every surface can be reached again. How far would you go to escape the weight of expectation? And what happens when you realize you've dived too deep to turn back?

*** COMPLETED *** Sixteen year old Daniel Layman has been bullied since he came out. His best friend and protector Sean, moved to Los Angeles leaving Daniel to fend for himself in Oklahoma City. Along with trying to survive every minute of hell at school, Daniel also has to walk over five miles everyday through the dangerous streets of Oklahoma City, just to get home - where he has to ignore the aggressive men his mother brings home every night. Seventeen year old Ethan Miller has been a member of one of the most dangerous gangs in Oklahoma City since he ran away from the foster care system as a child. When Daniel stumbles onto a turf war between Ethan's gang and their rivals, Ethan saves him. But the more Ethan gets to know Daniel, the more he realizes just how much saving Daniel needs. Cover art: made by me #1 in #boyxboy - May/2020 #2 in #gay - May/2020

We all know the cliché story of the bad boy falling for the nerdy girl, but what about a bad boy falling for another bad boy? Every Friday, Kai Yoon and Lucas Beck fight. Not only for the enjoyment of the sport, but to release the pent-up hatred they have for one another. After a drunken night, their loathe changes into something else, something new, and their school rivalry becomes insignificant. Unforeseen romance blossoms between the two, but broken families and deadly secrets prove to be perilous obstacles. Mix hidden pasts, a thirst for revenge, and an underground fight club with two of the most lethal and dangerous fighters in the state to unravel the mysteries that lay behind the badly broken. (Under editing)

"Promise me you'll stay strong, for me, for us" Smiling at the older boy below him Blake rested his forehead upon Alec's. "I promise" Hearing these words Alec smiled once more. That promise was all he needed to keep going. For them, for Blake. *** Blake was a nerd, shy, Introverted. Doesn't have many friends other than the school librarian, parents and the local café owner. He's never been one to interact with his fellow classmates. Always been put down upon, bullied by the schools football team. Starting his Sophomore year in high school all Blake could do was hope for the best, be able to merely pass this year in a flash. However a certain jock had other plans. Alec was new to school, becoming popular quite quickly. His angelic looks, body like every girls dream. He soon became the captain of the basketball team. His cold demeanor, bitter attitude girls drooled over him even more. All he hoped was to find a girl to make his, spoil. Except fate chose to completely switch his life upside down. Practicing for his next game Alec didn't expect to stumble upon a certain boy. His heart doing something it's never done before, skip a beat. Following his gut Alec knew what he wanted and when he wants something he gets it. However will Alec's family secret scare the only thing he's come to care for away in the world?! Can these two push past the jealousy and hatred from others to find freedom?! ______________________________________________

For sixteen-year-old Maddison, life has always meant survival. Hidden in a basement, bruised by betrayal, and silenced by fear, she believes she's just a broken girl in a cruel world. Raised by a stepfather who never loved her and tormented by a stepbrother who claimed her as his own, Madisson sees no future beyond the darkness. But fate has other plans. Born of a powerful witch and a legendary werewolf, Maddison carries ancient magic, and a destiny etched in the stars - one that begins to stir as her eighteenth birthday approaches. Far away, King Orion- werewolf ruler and immortal guardian has waited five centuries for his mate, guided only by the whisper of the stars. As time ticks closer to her awakening, the bond between them ignites. When Maddison escapes her tormentors and finds refuge in the royal palace, neither she nor Orion is prepared for the explosive truth that connects them. But shadows from the past refuse to let her go-and claiming her place as queen will come at a cost. In a world of wolves, witches, and fate-bound mates, can love conquer the darkness?

"Wait, you're gay?" I asked in confusion, scratching the back of my head. "Well duh. How oblivious are you?" "Well, I guess I'm pretty dumb, but my sexiness makes up for it." "Sure Hunter, whatever helps you sleep at night..." *** [Completed] Hunter just moved to a small city in Florida after his third suicide attempt, being forced to live with his aunt. After his first day at his new school, he has the whole football team hating him with his smart remarks, except for one quarterback who takes an interest in him. With his new therapist, his annoying aunt, and the hell hole he calls school, will Hunter be able to make it through the rest of high school, or will he forever be broken? --- This story contains romance between two boys. If you're not okay with that then I suggest you leave. I'm gonna go ahead and add a trigger warning, for suicidal themes, cutting, etc... Fair warning, this story is really poorly written. It's filled with plot holes, grammar errors, and everything else under the sun that makes a bad story. It pains me to reread it but it's like my own writing history so I don't want to take it down. It was written when I was 12, if that says anything, so keep that in mind before you read it! *** Highest rankings: 07/10/20 | #5 in Humor 02/09/20 | #5 in BxB 06/22/19 | #4 in SuicideAwareness 05/21/20 | #3 in GayLove 04/12/20 | #3 in UnlimitedPride 10/06/19 | #1 in Sarcasm 08/09/19 | #1 in GayFiction 08/17/19 | #1 in GayAf 09/28/19 | #1 in FreeTheLgbt 11/28/19 | #1 in TeenFiction 02/12/20 | #1 in Gayness --- Completed on 5/30/19

Aspiring writer Norah Jacobs needs an escape. In the span of two weeks, her corrupt brother has been jailed for murder and his partner has been hovering on her doorstep, threatening to ruin what little peace she has left. Packing her car, Norah flees the city and goes off the grid, finding refuge in the small coastal town of Bellvale. However, Norah's newfound refuge lands her right in the middle of a power struggle between creatures she thought only existed in fairy tales, and she begins to see that no matter how hard you try to run from your troubles, they seem to have a way of catching up with you... Watty 2014 Winner Haven Copyright © Melissa Lucas 2013 All Rights Reserved. No part of this literary work may be reproduced or used without written consent from the author.