Bonnie Mellis was eight when she first moved to the beach. And that's how she had met a boy named Aaron Drexel. If she had known how close they'd become, maybe she would've avoided him the day he showed up.

Sinister! That’s what it was. What his laugh was. It haunted my dreams, my life, even my thoughts. It finds me when I least expect it. He’ll never give up, not until I throw my hands up in defeat. It echoes. Forever.

"Over four hundred years ago, we were saved by a man named Adrig. In his glory, he ascended to power and called himself God. People believed him. Now he is long dead, but his government still reigns. They are protecting us from the world we live in, from each other, and even from ourselves." It's the same story every year. My name is Adrianna and I live in a world of no emotion, no individuality and no freedom. We all do. People know little of the lies they have been fed, of how much better life can be. It's easy to fall for the tales of Adrig. But I won't be fooled. I am a participant in the Pageant, like every eighteen year old girl must be. They say it's a duty; they say it's an honour. I know what it really is. I understand the truth. It is no more than a contest, and those who lose, die. What kind of world is this anyway? -Domed (Previously Pageant To The Death) ** SCIENCE FICTION #657 - FANTASY #794 (1 September 2014) Copyright © 2014 by Patricia West DO NOT STEAL MY WORK

"I'm done with this." Michael breathed. I could feel my face fall. But of course he was sick of this. My life was a mess, and his was as well. He didn't deserve more of a burden, more of my problems which unconcerned him. "I'm not some fucking man who would watch on the sideline, I'm not that type of person at all." His voice grew louder with each syllable, his eyes capturing mine and not letting me go as I sucked in a breath. "W-what do you mean?" I stuttered, my insides twisting. "Do you even realize how much it hurts just to watch you cry for, him?! Amethyst I may sound selfish to you but right at this moment I don't give a damn. After all the times I've been with you, I can't explain how greedy I am when other guys are around you." I only blinked, unable to form words as he breathed. "Shit." He muttered, and we stood for a moment in silence, before he crushed his lips on top of mine.

Every girl wishes for her Prince to come riding on a horse to swoop her up and make her his princess. Except for Solace. Being joined by the hip with a notorious playboy as a Prince for almost her whole childhood, she's sick of fairytales and princess and dragons. But is there a hidden spark that they never understood? . Merp. please just read. Wattpad has deleted this so many times, I don't know anymore.