When a dark situation leads Theo to the quiet village of Eden's Gate, where the residents are odd and the pool of friends severely lacking, he's less than thrilled. The town is a miserable means to an end. And, to make matters even worse, he's pretty sure the house is haunted. Cold spots, flickering lights, a shadow that won't stop following him- a recipe for a haunting, and for a complete disaster. Sam is a vengeful spirit, cursed to walk the halls of his own murder scene for the rest of eternity, doomed to an afterlife of dismal solitude. And then his favourite resident goes and dies, the house is given to new people, and Sam discovers - quite by accident - that the boy sleeping in his room can see him. And he is the only one who can help Sam solve his murder. ───── • ⋆⋅⛧⋅⋆ • ───── Status: Complete Story length: 40,000 words ONC 2023 Prompt: • They were not real, everyone told me they were not real. But why are they here? Why are they trying to talk to me? Why are they calling me the ONE? Why are they staring at me like that? (23) Disclaimer: this story contains themes that some readers may find distressing relating to death and mention of domestic abuse. The cover image has been generated for this story using BingAI.

Haphephobia: the fear of being touched. Blake, a second-year Psychology student, hadn't ever heard of such a phobia, until the day he was hired as a guide for Dean, the heir of a rich family. Even though Dean had the appearance and behaviour of a gentleman, he harboured an extremely dark and painful past that left him traumatized. After a rainy night on an empty road, a string of coincidences brings the two together. Blake makes it his goal to help Dean free himself from his past and bring back the happiness he deserves while Dean can't help but be won over by the charismatic guy, who is the only one not to see him as damaged or pitiful. However, when memories are revealed, and the feeling of friendship starts turning into something else, things complicate. Is it possible to let go of your past, to fight for an unlikely future?

Sam and Sage are next-door neighbors with an almost-four-year strong rivalry that peaks when they both apply to be Professor Olekev's Research Assistant. Unlike other professors, Olekev only chooses one student to study under her for their last two semesters, and every student that does transitions from college to the workforce seamlessly. You're almost guaranteed your dream job with a recommendation letter from Olekev. Which is why Sam needs that letter. And he'll do anything to get it. Even share the position with his stupidly pretty arch nemesis. ( © saeglopur )

[LGBTQ+ SLICE OF LIFE/ROMANCE] At the ripe old age of twenty-three, Hugo Garland starts his first year of university. It's terrifying and only adds to the anxiety and depression that has suffocated him for the last five years. But he wants to get better, he needs to, he just doesn't know where to start. His journey to healthiness is jumpstarted when he meets Renee Newell, who introduces him back into the world he missed out on for so long. With her help, he meets a man that might just be perfect for him, if only he was confident enough to do something about it. This is a story about overcoming grief and serious depression, about making friends and rediscovering the life that had once been lost. This is a story about gaining confidence and finding love. This is a story about Hugo Garland and the not-so-wrong ways to live life. Trigger Warnings for Panic Attacks

"Getting a Clue" is a slice-of-life story about Casper, an autistic gay teen whose most meaningful relationship is with his dog, Pippi, and whose safe space is his closet-literally. Enter Jethro: confident, boldly expressive, and inexplicably interested in Casper's prickly brand of charm. As Casper battles his instinct to retreat from every social encounter, Jethro patiently flirts his way past Casper's defences. Together, they navigate the minefield of high school, gender expectations, and first love, all while Casper tries to figure out why the hell anyone would voluntarily seek out human connection. With a healthy dose of snark and a dash of awkward romance, this tale proves that sometimes the biggest dramas in life are just... life. Will Casper figure out how to be a functioning human being? Will Jethro ever stop looking unfairly hot in tights? And how hard do you have to flirt before an oblivious gay boy gets a fucking clue? (Warning: Contains catastrophic attempts at small talk, impromptu bus adventures, and a surprising amount of fairy bread.)

So when the crowd screams and the people stand, I only see you, only you. So when you jump and flee into your teammate's arms, I only see you. I picture your huge smile and your jittery expression. Of all the people, of all the places and screaming voices screeching with joyous youth, at that moment I could only see your light. Only you...

After graduating from high school, Mathew sets out to do a two-year missionary service like everyone else his age. Mathew thought that his only problem would be him adjusting to the city as someone who's lived in a farming town all his life. he didn't expect to get so focused on helping Nathaniel recover from his past wounds. His encounters with a man five years his senior makes him question his life, faith, and everything he had ever believed to be true. - [April 2018 Camp NaNoWrimo Winner.] [Long listed in the #Wattys2018.] Cover by @nolakepner

Sergeant Jackson comes home. But he isn't staying. Bobby O'Callahan is going to change that, damn it. A novel in two parts.

After an accident leaves him crippled, Kai Humphrey finds himself at Constance Academy. The Academy is divided into two sections: the Blues, who are the gifted students that rule the school, and the Maroons, who are the trouble making delinquents. Kai is enrolled into the Peer Program, where he's stuck with Jin Amano and his eccentric group of friends. But Jin's group has a dangerous goal: they want to take down Adam Constance, the powerful, abusive man who will take over the Academy. Kai never meant to get involved in any of it, but that doesn't stop him from getting helplessly tangled with Jin and his rebellious plans.

Cor Sander wants nothing to do with the attacks happening around Crowe Academy, but that doesn't mean he's not part of them. Begrudgingly part of the group known as the Collectors, Cor helps a shady man run an even shadier business- and send a message to those who cross him. When the school's student council starts to suspect Cor and his friends, Cor realizes just how much trouble they're in. The group must play a dangerous game to keep themselves out of trouble, hopelessly trapped in a web weaved by grudges, lies, and violence. But Cor has no choice- it's a game he'll have to play to the bitter end.