A (not-so) hopeless romantic writer. A weird (not-so-much of a) stranger. A lot of (denying) feelings in between. A (continuation of the online) connection that ends on 11 / 23.

A writer. A weird stranger. A lot of little conversations. An online understanding. Every night. 23:11.

Ari Callahan has no idea how to talk to boys -- or how to talk to anyone for that matter. Enter Zac, the cute new guy in town who won't stop texting her. But is his interest real, or does he have a hidden agenda? ***** Found as a young child washed up on the beach, 17-year-old Ari Callahan has never uttered a word out loud to anyone -- not even her adoptive family. Psychologists have diagnosed her with a condition called selective mutism, but Ari can't help identifying with her namesake character, Ariel, the little mermaid in the fairytale whose voice was stolen by a sea witch. Mermaid-obsession aside, Ari's silence makes socializing tough. She's never had a boyfriend or been asked out on a date. Not until Zac, the confident new arrival in town, asks for her number. But Zac has his own reasons for texting with Ari. He's part of a movement to sabotage the artificial music app called SirenSong, threatening to render human singing obsolete. Zac's collaborators have scoured the globe in search of a singing voice perfect enough to break the SirenSong spell, and their search has led them straight to Ari's beachside town. Will her relationship with Zac help Ari find her voice and unlock the secrets of her origins? Or will he use her and leave her high and dry? Title: Ari and Zac (formerly The Mermaid Hypothesis) Content Warning: This story contains references to selective mutism, suicidal thoughts, and early childhood trauma.

What is the happiest and saddest part of my life? Happiest was the moment he opened his beautiful eyes on me. His eyes that captured my heart, those pair of brown eyes that I won't ever forget and the saddest? The moment he closed his eyes and can't look at me anymore. Ended: March 7, 2017 Highest rank #10 in General Fiction Cover is not mine. Credits to the rightful owner.

**STILL EDITING** How do you heal your heart after a break-up? How do you start over? I know it's hard, but things will get better. How do I know? I've been there. Twice. PS: Kahit complete na yung story, nag eedit pa rin ako from time to time. Please vote and comment! Your reactions will be much appreciated. Enjoy reading! xo -SAF

Kahit anong pagpipigil mo na hindi ma in love ay wala kang magagawa, dahil pag ikaw ay tinamaan na puso na lang ang gagana. Ito ang Love Triangle ng babae na ayaw magpaligaw, isang lalake na nagpupumilit manligaw at isa pang lalake na na KISSzoned (hinalikan sabay tinakasan, tapos iniwasan.) Their crazy but lovely encounters will prove that love is a matter of choice.

It's funny how destiny works, nang dahil sa simpleng katangahan ko, nakilala ko yung first crush na naging first love ko ngayon, at hopefully, siya na ang last ko. ♥

Ako nga pala si Sherry.. at ito ang istorya ng buhay kong madrama..