Kalen Mercer's Rules of Survival Rule #1: Don't get caught. Rule #2: Always get even. Rule #3: Trust Nobody. Survival isn't just a word to Ioney Mercer; it's a way of life. Having grown up in poverty in Chicago where some of the most ruthless gangs in the country preside, Ioney knows better than anyone what it takes to stay in the game. Or so she thought. When her older brother Kalen is brutally murdered and Ioney is left to take care of her younger siblings, she doesn't think things can get any worse. That is until in a cataclysmic turn of events, Ioney is thrown into a pit of danger her brother has left behind. Sinister people have suddenly developed an interest in her, she unwittingly falls into the middle of growing gang rivalries, and unfortunately manages to land herself under the scrutiny of Chicago Blood Kings Enforcer Justice Montoya. As things escalate rapidly, Ioney finds herself at a crossroads. Can she trust notoriously ruthless gangster Justice Montoya, or is he just another enemy she has to conquer in order to survive.

[Twice feautured Noteworthy Novel & Staff Pick on Tapas!] [Full version available in April] Looking at sixteen-year-old Neo Favre, there isn't anything to point out that would explain him being heavily bullied. He's almost just like any other teenager attending South Haven Highschool. Except one thing; Neo suffers from OCD, and his irky habits are solely the reason for his classmates to make fun of him. But as much as he tries to hide his annoying habits of counting literally everything and tapping light buttons to the beat of "we will rock you", his fellow students know, and they use it to bully him endlessly. Neo just wants it all to end, but right when he worked up the guts to put his actions where his mouth is, Calo show's up to save the day, and maybe his week. And who knows, maybe even his life. With a first best friend, along with a new therapist and seemingly more people supporting him, things seem to take a turn for the better in Neo's life. But as always, with the few positive things in his life, Neo leans onto them for support. So, what happens when one of his supportsystems gets pulled out of his life again? ! Trigger warning; subjects like suicide, mental illness, hatred, bullying and severe physical illnesses will all be in this book !

Everything in Jules Hatcher's life is going well: he has a girlfriend, a job and pretty decent grades. That is until he (literally) stumbles into Hunter Adams, the bad boy and player that everyone knows. Soon Hunter has managed to turn Jules' entire world upside down- and make him discover a side of himself, that Jules never knew of. And it all started with that damn hoodie. Trigger warning: this story includes depictions of homophobia and mentions of suicide.

Alex and Liam have been best friends their whole lives until a drunken kiss leads them down separate paths. As time passes, they must face truths they never expected. ***** Alex Camejo and Liam Santos have been thick as thieves since they met at age seven. As the years passed, Liam protected Alex from bullies while Alex denied what those bullies were saying. He's not gay no matter how "girly" he seems... or how much he longs to hold Liam's hand. But a drunken kiss tears everything down. The inseparable Liam Santos and Alex Camejo can no longer be friends. Without each other's support, they must overcome the struggles of adolescence, coming out, new lovers, self-doubt and lingering emotions. One hopes he will forget his best friend and find happiness. The other hopes they will reunite and be happy. In the end, whose dreams will come true? [[Watty's Award Winner]]

When an unforeseen tragedy they never could have imagined hits three friends like a whirlwind tornado, Josiah, Carson, and Ayden have their lives completely torn apart. While attempting to figure out how to get back on track and relearning how to function normally, these young adults realize that some things can never be the same again. This is one journey no one will ever be able to forget. Between new loves, lost relationships, and betrayals of the worst kind, this is easily one of the most destructive love triangles to ever exist. Get ready, because the chaotic interim is here.

Emerson is miserable with his life. He’s constantly bullied, and his boyfriend, Matt, sides with his tormentors. When Emerson hides in the school’s boiler room to escape everyone, he doesn’t expect to find a journal. The journal looks simple enough, but inside, it contains the shocking story of a boy named Nash. As Emerson reads deeper into the heart wrenching words of Nash’s life, he is unaware that his life is about to change forever.

After the accident, Noah Archer built a wall around himself. But Riley Dawson is curious about him, and she's determined to meet the man behind his defenses. ***** Riley Dawson has always noticed Noah. He was the most popular guy on campus, until he lost his parents in a car accident. Now he's withdrawn and silent. Mustering up the courage to give her condolences, the two end up talking, and Riley grows determined to help Noah find himself again. Every time she coaxes a smile from him, she can feel the ice around his heart melting. But Riley knows that Noah's loss is still close to him. She's opening up her heart, but can Noah do the same? He's got so much to lose, but now, so does she. [[word count: 70,000-80,000 words]]

*Completed* "It was as if he was the sun and I was the Earth. Gravity pulled me toward him, but my fear of getting burned kept me at a distance." Collin King is getting his first taste of fame, but he's not sure he likes it. The music industry controls everything. His music. His personality. His image. His dates. He's sick of it. With the looming deadlines for his next hit single fast approaching, Collin is losing his words. How can he write a song when his inspiration died with his freedom? How can he write when he has no one to write about. Well... that's where Dominik Darling comes in. *Warning. This is a boy×boy novel. If you don't like it, don't read it.* *Started on December 25th* *Finished on February 11th* *#90 in Short Story - 01/24/18* *#78 in Short Story - 01/28/18* *#71 in Short Story - 01/29/18* *#55 in Short Story - 02/01/18* *#48 in Short Story - 02/09/18* *#45 in Short Story - 02/10/18* *#43 in Short Story - 02/24/18* *#11 in Short Story - 03/10/18*

WATTPAD ORIGINAL EDITION When Elliot Goldman meets his sweet and charming new lab partner, Jordan Hughes, suddenly high school doesn't seem so bad. For the first time ever, Elliot can't wait to get to chemistry class... ***** Smart, good looking and charismatic, Jordan opens Elliot's eyes to the possibilities around him and gives him butterflies like nobody else does. Jordan isn't exactly the kind of person Elliot's used to having as a lab partner, but when they start acing their assignments, life is suddenly about more than boring lectures, bad cafeteria nachos, or relentless bullying. And then one night, the butterflies start to make sense - the trouble is, now nothing else does. As Elliot begins to figure out how he really feels about Jordan, he realizes that sometimes the last thing you are expecting is the one thing you need the most. [[word count: 40,000-50,000 words]]

Xander is a writer - a wordsmith by nature and training. He's an upcoming talent that people are sure will receive future success. Despite his way with words, Xander finds himself unable to speak to his crush, Maxwell, who's a music student in the same college as him. Due to his lack of confidence, Xander does away with trying to talk to Maxwell and writes about a fictional reality where he's not so shy and he's able to date the man of his dreams. What happens when Xander losses his journal with this story? And what happens when it's returned to him by no other person but Maxwell himself? - Cover by @EPrescott