BOOK ONE Coming out was supposed to set Julian free. Instead, it left him with a broken arm, a mother who won't stop preaching, and a silence that grows heavier every day. High school feels like a cage, and Julian is certain he doesn't belong anywhere-until Paul crashes into his world. With his inked skin, effortless charm, and a following that makes him untouchable, Paul should be the last person Julian lets close. But in Paul's arms, Julian feels something he's never known before: safe. As their connection deepens, so does the danger. Loving Paul means risking exposure, rejection, and heartbreak all over again. Worse, it means facing the cruelest voice of all-the one inside Julian's own head. Tender, raw, and unflinching, Open is a story about first love, first heartbreak, and finding the courage to believe you're worthy of both. ::: I could feel it when his body finally went slack, when he'd fallen asleep and soft snores emitted. And I thought I was getting better at this breaking down thing... I honestly did but when I was alone, I seemed to fall apart. Endless serenades of how worthless I'd been and how destructive I was; I was a disappointment to literally everyone and I hated it. My breathing became shallow as I cried for the second time that day, finally feeling content being immersed in guilt. A shudder wracked through my body, tears escaping and Paul pulled me closer as he woke silently. Mumbling soft nothings against my skin and kissing it to slow my breathing, he tried to lull me to sleep, "It's okay, you're okay." Refusing to speak -my voice failing me- his arm came up to wrap around my shoulder and I held him there, placing a small kiss to his tattooed skin in a broken sign of gratitude, I must've run out of tears. And I felt at ease.

The third & final installment of the Paper Trails series. Welcome back. Enjoy. Grab tissues. And ice cream. Let's go.

Being accepted into one of the best private colleges in the United States on a full scholarship was supposed to be one of the best things that's ever happened to a person, right? Wrong. Ella Parker. One of the most successful law students in the world, has been offered this opportunity. With no family, barely any income and a tragic back story, Ella decided taking this scholarship was her chance to start fresh and to try and move on with her life. Of course, she didn't expect to be sharing a dorm room with one of the most cold, arrogant, and meanest bad boy on campus. Caleb Hunter was smart, sexy, popular, and worshipped by everybody that had ever laid eyes on him. He always managed to get his way and never had to ask for something more than once. Until he met Ella Parker. When two conflicting personalities are put in the same dorm room for the next few years of their college life; how do they react towards one another? The odd pair can only have one of the two endings planned; Good, or bad.

We grew up together, we were next door neighbors, we went to the same school. We were best friends. That is until he moved millions of miles away and we lost touch. He was the sweetest guy I'd ever known, a total gentleman. I'll always remember him as the good guy. He is a reckless bad boy. He is a cocky jerk. He is an irritating fuck boy. He is not the guy I remember. Adeline's best friend Dylan Parker moved away in the 6th grade. He didn't even say goodbye. After years of waiting for him to call or write or even comeback, she gave up hope. So when she finds out she's moved to the same town he did, she has some mixed emotions. She is definitely surprised to see he is a completely different person. He's no longer the shy, geeky goofball she knew. He's now that popular bad boy the girls swoon over in the books. Maybe Dylan has forgotten all about sweet little Adeline. Adeline just wants to make it through her senior year without him turning her life upside down. Things don't really go as planned.

"Tate Moore is fucking psychotic." He stared at me blankly, like he hadn't just insulted himself. He snapped his gum, as my mouth hung open. Then something completely unexpected happened. He plucked the gum from his mouth and stuck it on my nose, thumb pressing it onto my skin until in stayed. I blinked in shock as he ducked forward and pressed his lips to mine. The kiss was short and brief, and he pulled away with that same expressionless look. I could feel the cool air drying the gum on my sniffer as he said, "Now, Poppy Dawson is fucking crazy, too."

"Come on babe." Evan insists. "Please? For me?" I look around, considering my options. The party has started to die down, and the small lake further into the woods is pretty concealed. "Fine." I sigh, grinning. "Really?" He smirks. "You'll skinny dip with me?" I pause. "Sure." "Great." He says. "I love you Harper." <><><><> Harper is your typical good girl. Shy, quiet, and reserved. So everybody is surprised when she manages to land a guy like Evan. Prom King, quarterback, ladies man. Evan introduces her to a new world, a world of popularity. And Harper tries to be the best girlfriend she can be. But one night, it all falls apart, and Harper is left in a mortifying situation. Naked. Luckily the River boys are around to save the day. After a few pictures of course.

To Riley, boys like Asher don't fall for girls like her. She's the average girl, with nothing that makes her stand out. Asher is the boy who everybody wants to be friends with. He's reckless and headstrong. So, what would a boy like Asher be doing with a girl like Riley? "Let's do this."

Charlotte Langdale is an exemplary student at her average public school. Until she gets the opportunity of a lifetime. The chance to attend the prestigious Preston College Preparatory Academy of Careers - where a full scholarship is provided to attend both high school and university. Of course she accepts instantaneously. _________ | Heir Series - Part I | 2nd version | [Currently Editing, Ongoing]