When Everly Reed collides with the cynical and devilishly handsome Mason Valdez, she knows trouble is ahead, but she never could have guessed how much she would be drawn to the storm. ***** Nineteen-year-old Ever Reed likes when things make sense. Which is probably why she excels at math, enough to secure her a spot at an Ivy League school out of state. Sheltered by her mother and older brother Asher for most of her life, Ever hasn't experienced much of the world, but she knows New York will be an adventure. Enter Mason Valdez: cynical, arrogant, and undeniably attractive-exactly what Ever doesn't need. But as their paths keep crossing, Ever finds herself intrigued by Mason, and eager to know the boy behind the bitter mask. As secrets, scars, and painful pasts rise to the surface, Ever knows one thing for sure: they can only make it through if they face their storms together. [[word count: 150,000 - 200,000]] Cover designed by Frances Louise De Ramos Spinoff to The Hoodie Girl Book One of the A Thousand Storms series [[The Fiction Awards 2018 Best Overall Story and Best Romance Winner]] Content/trigger warning: This story mentions sexual assault and childhood abuse

"You save yourself or you remain unsaved." - Alice Sebold. °°° Florence Rosa Brine - this is her story. It's a sad one, to be honest. Her version of events is one that would surprise even those who think they knew everything about her. After a series of incidents that had emotionally and physically scarred her, Flo fled from her hometown to live with her father in Australia and changed everything about herself that made her, her. But when she realises that the only way forward is to face her demons head on, she returns to her hometown to do exactly that. In her return, she has to face Jake; the only boy she's ever loved. Yet the thing that stands out the most to Flo is his transformation. He spends most of his hours in the gym, boxing, weightlifting, boxing, and more boxing. Instantly, Flo notices that he's become quieter, fiercer and strangely distant, but she has no idea of what is going on in his head. After all, he's Jake. And no one knows a thing about Jake. While facing her fears head on, she discovers what the true meaning of love is, and how she can finally move on from her past and save herself.