me: "hi" him: "hey"

[Now free to read!] Scott Wilson isn't used to being corrected, and he definitely didn't expect to get his biggest dose of criticism by his coach's daughter - Elle Monroe. ***** When Scott Wilson is drafted to try out for the Marlies hockey team, it's easily the best day of his life. He's cocky and for good reason. He's spent his entire life being told that he's a hockey prodigy and he knows that he's on the path to his destiny. Then Elle Monroe shows up, and throws off his entire plan. Elle - the daughter of his coach - is loud, rude, confident, and gets a special kick out of knocking Scott down a peg or two. Scott doesn't want to accept the help she's offering, but eventually he does, and it turns into a lot more than he was expecting. Scott isn't used to a lot of things, but there's one especially that he's never prepared for: a beautiful, loud girl stealing his jersey every day before their practices. [Winner of the 2015 Watty's 'cover to cover'] [completed]

Excerpt Still carrying the small A5 book, I edged towards my front door and opened it. And there he stood, wet hair plastered to his head and dripping clothes clinging to his body. He stepped into the house and out of the rain so suddenly, I took a step back. He grabbed my waist and my neck, drew me towards him and silenced me with his cold, wet lips. I didn't hesitate or pull away and as I wound my arms around his neck, the A to Z clattered and dropped to the floor, laying at our feet.

Sometimes all you really need is a place to call home. *** Claire is lost and scared and utterly alone. Her family is in shambles after the death of her older sister Ina, and she's left to pick up the broken pieces of herself as her life heads into a downwards spiral of loneliness. Her heart leads her to 5:48, a little cafe by 33rd street, where she finds her new home. With a broken heart and a speech disability, Jasper has his heart and mouth sewn shut by the winding threads of hurt and fear. Painting and serving coffee in cafe 5:48 are one of his last few saving graces, but the smile he's been painting on himself will soon fade away as everything he's ever held dear slips away from his grasp. Ezra is out-of-sync and oddly cold by the way life has treated his young self. Abandoned by his single mother at an early age, he has grown up thinking that he is a mistake. His constant shaking hands are a reflection of what he often thinks of himself, but the delightful pastries he bakes for 5:48's customers are a reflection of what others see of him. Drew is a quirky rarity. He is a dash of loud, a pinch of exuberant, and a cup of eccentric - just like the meals he serves in the cafe as the only chef there. Behind his playful grins and outlandish clothes, however, are his jutting ribs, hollowed cheeks, and too-thin arms. Sometimes he cannot stomach being in his own skin as much as he cannot stomach food. This family has gone a long way from finding each other, and they'll be going a long way together too as reality comes catching up to them, threatening the newfound happiness they've found with each other. Secrets are revealed, pasts become presents, and lives are changed. Slowly but surely, they find their way back home. *** NOTE AS OF 08/2026: This is the old version of the story from 2012, posted in FULL. Another story that will be considered a reprise of this old version is in the works, and will be posted under the name "Hiraya House."

sometimes there is nothing worse than an apology. - cooper

"No amount of coffee could keep me awake like you do." Jake is the hockey player with the hot girlfriend. Katie is the girl with a name no one remembers. Jake is used to getting what he wants. Katie is used to getting coffee for her hungover mother. Until one night, one chance meeting between two strangers changes everything. No words, no stories to share, and above all, no names. Just two people who don't know each other, a hot string of kisses in bathroom, and a mutual goodbye. Except there's one problem: Katie felt something.

"I want to grow up" Did you say it when you were a kid? I know I did. Have you regretted growing up at some point in your life? Have you wished you could be a careless child once again? I know you have. Everyone has. The more you grow the bigger the challenges, the obstacles, the pain. Life gets serious. You get serious. You forget to smile at the morning sun shining down your face. You are too absorved by your problems to notice the beautiful world surrounding you. And when life gets hard, you wish more than anything to turn back in time and be that small child who did not know anything when he said "I want to grow up"