It doesn't matter how she ended up in this four-walled room. What matters is she gets out. ***** After a night out in New York City, Liliana Rossi wakes up in a windowless room with no recollection of how she got there. And she's not alone. The dark and tattooed Mateo Aguilar is also held captive. As the two struggle to survive and hatch an escape plan, they also struggle with growing attraction toward each other, facing Lili with the biggest question yet: is Mateo the reason she's here, or the one who's going to save her? ✨ Wattys 2018 Shortlist & Featured Story ✨ Content warning: this story references themes that readers might find triggering, including drug use and sexual assault. [[word count: 60,000-70,000 words]] Cover designed by Stefanie Saw

WATTPAD BOOKS EDITION How do you trust the ground when all you've known is flight? In this breathtaking debut, Leigh Ansell has created a compelling, heartbreaking, and truly engaging story about a young girl used to flying high only to be faced with living life with her two feet firmly on the ground . . . Seventeen-year-old Corey Ryder can't remember a time when she wasn't gliding through the air of Cirque Mystique's big top. As a trapeze artist in a traveling circus, Corey wakes up every day in a different place, buzzing for the moment she can suspend gravity during the night's performance. When the circus pulls into small-town Sherwood, California, everything seems normal - aside from meeting the exceptionally cute Luke Everett at a local diner. But that night, in the midst of the performance, tragedy strikes and flames overtake the tent. While Corey narrowly escapes, in the ashes of the circus pitch lies the only home she's ever known. Repeatedly thrown out of her comfort zone, Corey must learn how to push toward her future without forgetting her past, what it means to be a daughter to a mother she's never known, and how to navigate the confusing magic of first love, even as she performs the high-wire act of being true to who you really are.

BEFORE YOU READ- DISCLAIMER! The main character is blunt, hates life and is very vulgar and hateful towards everyone and everything . However there is a reason for this. She is strong-headed and short-tempered, ill-mannered and disrespectful (though some may say in a loveable way). If this isn't for you, then I wouldn't suggest reading this book. It's about character development and personal growth. - Kody Lawrence is not normal. On the contrary, she's everything but. When the hot-headed, short-tempered, rude new girl arrives in the small town of Raven Hollow, Maine, most people are put off by her unexpected and -considering her horrible attitude and pessimism- unwanted appearance. However, despite her constant locked jaw, clenched fists and cold glare, Lilah Johansson, Kody's appointed 'buddy', can't help but want to be her new friend in spite of their not-so-impressive first impression. But Lilah is not to be sold separately, and with the friendly redhead comes four boys with charming smiles and welcoming arms that hide their own secrets and covered-up lies. Amongst the group of five, Dakota Black is the one who stands out with his calculating eyes and kind heart, and while Kody has no intention to stick around longer than a few months, he might just be the one to change that. With a duffel bag of money, a box-filled with different identities, a pocket full of problems and a closet stacked to the brim with secrets, Kody's quiet and peaceful Senior year takes a couple of unexpected turns. The only question is: Are they for better or for worse? ___ (Small disclaimer: The first few chapters aren't the greatest, but I took some time off from writing this book and came back to it when I'd gotten a bit better with writing, so if you can get past the rocky start, hopefully you won't regret it). ___ Re-published: 7.4.18 (7th of April) Finished: 9.3.20 (9th of March) Currently editing and correcting mistakes / plot holes. (Editing chapters at random)