Clarissa Marie Valdez, a daughter of a con man, was chosen by King and Queen Academy, a prestigious school full of princes, princesses', heirs, and heiresses. Why was she chosen? Who chose her? How could she get out? And most of all what are they hiding from her?

"Third," Simon whispered. "I already know who you are, Miss Nadia Wickham." He stepped back and continued what he was saying before I could really process that he had said my last name. "And since you are in fact, a Wickham. That means you are not simple." "I am simple!" I blurted out, not letting him have the last word. "Is that so Miss Wickham? Are you simple?" He challenged. I wasn't sure where my courage and strength came from, but I stepped up to him and said very clearly. "I'm Simply Nadia, as you said before." "Your going to have to prove that Nadia." Simon wasn't about to back down. ~~~~ Nadia Wickham's life is turned upside down when her tender, loving Mother dies. A week and half after her Mother's funeral, she is shipped off to New York City, where she will live with her well-respected and known Father: Daniel Wickham and his new family, the Prior's. Nadia is thrown into a luxurious lifestyle where she displays elegant cocktail dresses and camera's flash day and night. Her life becomes what most young girls dream of yet, this new lifestyle does not rid the pain of her Mother's death. When Nadia does some soul searching, she meets Simon Booker. An aspiring artist who's confident, adventurous and most of all: Stubborn as hell. When Simon doubts that Nadia is who she says she is, he's going to make her prove it. Simon and Nadia venture out into the streets of NYC and create unforgettable memories that will stay with Nadia for the rest of her life.

Sometimes all you really need is a place to call home. *** Claire is lost and scared and utterly alone. Her family is in shambles after the death of her older sister Ina, and she's left to pick up the broken pieces of herself as her life heads into a downwards spiral of loneliness. Her heart leads her to 5:48, a little cafe by 33rd street, where she finds her new home. With a broken heart and a speech disability, Jasper has his heart and mouth sewn shut by the winding threads of hurt and fear. Painting and serving coffee in cafe 5:48 are one of his last few saving graces, but the smile he's been painting on himself will soon fade away as everything he's ever held dear slips away from his grasp. Ezra is out-of-sync and oddly cold by the way life has treated his young self. Abandoned by his single mother at an early age, he has grown up thinking that he is a mistake. His constant shaking hands are a reflection of what he often thinks of himself, but the delightful pastries he bakes for 5:48's customers are a reflection of what others see of him. Drew is a quirky rarity. He is a dash of loud, a pinch of exuberant, and a cup of eccentric - just like the meals he serves in the cafe as the only chef there. Behind his playful grins and outlandish clothes, however, are his jutting ribs, hollowed cheeks, and too-thin arms. Sometimes he cannot stomach being in his own skin as much as he cannot stomach food. This family has gone a long way from finding each other, and they'll be going a long way together too as reality comes catching up to them, threatening the newfound happiness they've found with each other. Secrets are revealed, pasts become presents, and lives are changed. Slowly but surely, they find their way back home. *** NOTE AS OF 08/2026: This is the old version of the story from 2012, posted in FULL. Another story that will be considered a reprise of this old version is in the works, and will be posted under the name "Hiraya House."

With summer just around the corner, Coraline's prepared for another busy tourist season at her family's hotel. What she's not expecting, however, is England's hottest up-and-coming music sensation, Leon McCarthy, showing up at the check-in desk.

[Includes Something about Summer & After Rain] Raine Evans had everything. Okay, maybe not. So she avoided her problems a bit too much and didn't have the best past, but she was happy. Then summer came. What started out as a crazy challenge and a devious, match-making best friend turned into an unconscious game of hearts. And somehow, everything she had been running from became inevitable. Three years later, it's all still broken. Forever had became just another seven letter word, and moving on was the only way to go. Until a chance meeting puts everything on pause. But no one's really ready to try again. After all, things are so much harder the second time around [WattyAwards2012 Finalist: Humor]