They weren't supposed to meet. But life does that sometimes; it throws in a couple of new faces that bring you the utmost of joys in the most unlikeliest of places, and every now and then, you'll come across someone who changes you - someone who's genuine and wonderful and full of hope; someone who changes your perspective on the things that you had stored away in the cardboard box sitting in the dark corner of your closet, someone who opens up your eyes to new things; bright and beautiful things that you can't believe you hadn't seen before, someone who's iridescent. And once you meet them, nothing will ever compare.

We look up at the same sky and we see the same thing and suddenly, it's not so lonely anymore.

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."

In which a happy Sylvia Plath and a disgruntled Oscar Wilde meet over coffee to discuss boys, legal studies terms and the perils of being a writer in a logical world. [Now a Wattpad Featured Story] [#40 in Short Story 11/4/16] Cover by @DriveMeCrayCray

❝ teardrops blurred the skies that she's lost ❞

❝the house is not a judge. and nor should we be ❞ A short commentary on racism.

❝ let these words be my wings, and bind my soul to my pen❞

❝ and I shall sing, with sweetened elation, these poems with no names. these poems of us.❞

He just sits there. On seat 31. Reading a book or listening to his music. He looks out of the window. Or looks at her. She just sits there. On seat 30. Reading a book or listening to her music. She looks out of the window. Or looks at him.

gus; [noun] 1. the only boy who likes the stars © ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 2014. N. A.