Book Two of Five in the New Beginnings Series. **You do NOT have to read Inhale, Exhale, & Breathe to enjoy these stories** SALEM LUNA: Does anyone ever feel like they're riding a mechanical bull that is never ending? No matter how many times you get thrown off the thing, you appear right back on it? No? Just me then? See, I have this best friend. Former. Best. Friend. It's taking my brain a while to get used to it. Whatever. I'm hopelessly in love with him, and I tried desperately to admit my feelings out loud. So, I did. Raven Fox told me not to love him, and the look he seared into my skin when he said it was now branded into my brain. Now we're on the university book club Christmas retreat. Who did I get roomed with? Raven because of course I was given the bird. The damn bird that didn't love me in return. Which would have been fine had he not looked like the idea disgusted him. Six months have gone by since that day, and our tension is growing with more animosity each second. Now, we're doing activities together, and Christmas is my favorite holiday. He's not screwing this up for me. After a snowstorm starts hitting, though, I end up stuck in the middle of nowhere, out of gas in my snowmobile. I'm terrified as the wind starts picking up and snow starts whipping my face. I thought he wasn't listening. That he didn't care. So, why did he become the one to save me? Why does he look so distraught? His words say one thing, but his eyes are telling me his words are lies. Raven is lying to me. He loves me. But he doesn't want me to love him. All I want to know is why because I can't breathe without him anymore.

His face is so close, he can almost taste him. His fingers twitch, fighting the urge to grip his hips harder. He never imagined feeling this way about the boy. He tries to fight it, but it's nearly impossible. Something's calling to him. Something's gripping his heart, and tugging on it, pulling him toward the boy with an unknown force. ~§~ It's not easy being different from everyone else, or something your parents don't want you to be. It's not easy when you love someone everyone says you shouldn't. Diving into the world of homelessness at the age of 17 was hard. The streets weren't easy, but somehow the young 19-year-old still smiles. He takes an interest in Him. He takes Him under his wings, and gives Him a place to live. He's different from everyone. He doesn't look down on Him. Things become complicated... More complicated than either could have imagined. A life altering news is devastating, and the boy struggles to come to terms with it. It wasn't easy, but he made his pace with it. But will the man make peace with it? Can he let Him go?

Carter Parrish lived a happy, simple life with his mom, and knowing she had found her way back to love was the best news he could have ever received. But love leads to marriage, and marriage brought him a new stepfather, a new house, six new stepbrothers and one especially obnoxious stepsister. When the place he is meant to call home starts to feel like a test to his good-will and patience, Carter needs an escape. He might find just that where he least expects it, after meeting a smart boy with a snarky sense of humor and a secret he doesn't seem to good at hiding, who just so happens to be his football coach's son. Somebody said "change is inevitable, growth is optional". Carter just wished they had left a footnote about how hard it can be. *STORY CONTAINS MULTIMEDIA*

*COMPLETED* Short Story: Jaxson likes his life as it is. He graduated high school and got a fully paid football scholar ship for one of the best universities in the country. And to top it all off, his best friend Nick got accepted into the same school. Now they get to share a room and live their normal college life side by side with their best friend. But when a drunken kiss changes everything, how will the two continue? A Sidestory to 'Save me Romeo' (Can be a standalone)

Nick Wallace just wants to survive. Simple. Moving to a new town with new people is always hard, but Nick is strong. After being forced to relocate due to an unfortunate event, Nick is looking forward to a change in scenery. Not. As Nick battles with his demons, some unexpected allies pop up in an unexpected place. Maybe Nick can survive. *started April 11th, 2020* *finished August 11th, 2021* NOT MPREG 🤨

Harken Red has never been happy. Drained, defeated, and depressed. After escaping a mental health institution, Harken seeks refuge in the place he dreaded the most: his hometown. Aiden Haile had always been at the top of his game, until one incident left him scarred and alone, caring for his only child. Then one day, Harken appears at his door, and suddenly his past is back to haunt him.

Pierson "Pierce" Matthews is living in the city of Brooklyn where he can see the majestic view of the Brooklyn Bridge. He has a happy life, a stable job, a home where he can live, and an income that can support his family throughout their lives. Back in High School he was being mocked at, being bullied, and he decided to prove someone that he could reach the top and never back down. Pierce is contented the way things are happening, and he thinks that nobody or nothing can drag him down. Until one thing happens that he didn't expect. Someone from the past comes along, and worse, that person has become his new boss, who will do anything just to see him crumble down, anticipating his downfall. But would Pierce let that happen? He was basically a follower when he was a student of the Jacksonville High School, and he decides that he has had enough of that; he will do whatever it takes to reach the top, just like he promised to his parents.

This is the rewritten (better!) version of Boys Will Be Boys DISCLAIMER: This book will contain foul language and general idiocy. I started writing this almost six years ago, and many of the writing techniques and actual content are no longer representative of me as a writer. Nonetheless, I do hope it makes you happy to read. CW/TW: (internalized and general) homophobia, other TWs are specified as needed in chapters *** "You good Keke?" I felt a hand slap my back and looked up excitedly, lips splitting into a grin when Lukas dragged a stool over next to mine. He nudged me with his shoulder, a small smile on his lips. "Don't fucking call me that, and yeah, 'm alright," I yawned, resting my head on my forearm and leaning so I could meet Lukas' eyes. "Just tired and sore" I admitted, letting my legs dangle so I could knock them into Lukas' in a repetitive pattern. He looked down in surprise, which soon turned to determination as we waged a silent war between who could kick each other harder and evade the other's attack. "Yeah, I'm still sore from last night too" Lukas murmured, wincing when I got him in the shin. "Same here" DJ piped in, echoed quietly by Roger who was still lost in his own world. "You guys make it sound like we had a massive orgy last night"

"Levon." Todd answered, voice hard. "Todd." Levon responded just as coolly. There was a pause. "Are you busy?" "I just got back from class," Todd said. "Waiting for Betto to get out of his lab so we can go for supper." "Nice." Levon wanted to punch himself. Todd just hummed in affirmation. Another pause as Levon tried to find a way to dispel the tension in the call. "Are you good?" Todd asked when Levon failed to form a sentence, and Levon realized how out of character it was for him to call Todd. There a was a layer of concern just under Todd's indifferent tone, and the protectiveness that seemed ever present in Todd when they were younger and Todd was always saving Levon from his problems. Levon's anger seemed to melt away at that familiar sense of security. "I'm good," Levon spoke finally and a soft smile spread over his lips. "Are you good?" "I'm good," Todd said gruffly. "Are we good?" Levon asked and Todd scoffed. "What we. There is no we. We're not friends." "Wouldn't want you as a friend anyway," Levon snickered. "You're kind of an asshole." Or Todd and Levon, and their acceptance that they were never meant to be friends. (Disclaimer: there will be foul language, more fluff than plot, and BoyxBoy romance. Read at your own risk!)

"Look at me Axel . I'm sorry I never should've- His lips were on mine and I grabbed his waist like it was the most natural thing in the world. His lips felt soft against mine and soon they were brushing against my neck. I stared into his eyes, green beautiful and endless. I thought to myself, this is what I wanted. Axel Williams is the smartest boy in his class maybe in the entire school. He loves homework , avoids parties and is exstremely introverted. Every jock asks him to help them boost their grades and he helps them, keeping him off most bullies lists and earning him enough money for college. Duncan Lawrence is a jock, popular cute and probably any guys hero. He is the football captain and pretty much dominates the school. His only problem is that he's not good with words. What will happen when these two souls meet? Will Duncan make the right choice? Will Axel come to terms with his sexuality? ⚠️THIS STORY CONTAINS BOY X BOY ROMANCE ⚠️