"I'll let you decide, " he said quietly walking towards the door. "I trust you to make the right choice." My eyes pricked with tears as I closed the door quickly behind him. How could he think I wanted anything to do with him. After all this time. He trusted me. That's rich. ------- Cassidy Parker is just an average teen. Her heart outweighs her brain sometimes and she makes mistakes but this time her choices don't only affect her but her family and her family is what's most important.

Drugs. Sex. Money. Isn't that what all men wanted? -------- After seven years on the streets, Mahala learns to trust no one, not even the ones closest to you. But what happens when love and trust mix? Will Mahala take a chance on him or will she run again?

Husband is in prison. Raising two kids on his own. Dealing with loneliness. Dealing with his job. How much can one take? Cameron Alono Jackson was happy- fifteen years ago that is, when he was with his husband and their two kids. That is up until the police caught up to Anthony D'arell Jackson and took him away for the rest of his life over multiple murders and kidnappings. As much as Cameron relies on them, one phone call a year isn't enough. Memories aren't enough, old pictures aren't enough. There's not one night that passes where Cameron hasn't been overthinking, crying, or contemplating about his life or the thought of Anthony's life in prison. And dealing with two fifteen year old teenagers is hard. Especially when one is constantly disrespectful, has anger issues and is careless about their action and the other is at a constant risk of being taken advantage of. Through all of this, Cameron has always tried his best to remain neutral and happy- but as the days go by it's becoming more difficult to act as if he's got everything under control. It's becoming harder to put on this mask of fake happiness when he always feels like he's slowly losing himself- But, what about Anthony?

Percy Flynn is the school's golden boy that everyone loves, he has a girlfriend, friends he loves and the one he hates. Spencer Tracey just happens to be among the ones he hates, after a falling out that included his brother, Percy swore never to have anything to do with Spencer anymore. Unfortunately, the heart wants what it wants and when Percy finds himself in a situation where he has to help Spencer, his compassion takes over and he goes against everything he swore not to do again, all in the name of Spencer. Has Spencer really changed though? Does he deserve Percy this time? Is Spencer the problem or the solution? © CriticallyIntense 2018 Highest Ranking- 1st in Short Story