The first time Mel saw Dean was in an elective class called Madness in Literature. He had been sitting a few rows down in his green parka, writing furiously into his notebook. Something about him made her stop and stare, and it felt like she hasn't looked away since. But there is a reason why Dean seldom comes to class. And why he seems reluctant to be her friend. And why he disappears for ages with answering her messages. Mel would have been bothered by all of it, except that she doesn't care. When it comes to Dean, she was willing to overlook a lot of things. This is a short story about two young people trying to find themselves and instead stumbling upon love.

A dense fog surrounded me, confusing my senses. Suddenly, it cleared and a room solidified in my sight. Confusion swept over me. At this rate, it was becoming my new best friend. My gaze swept around the room, landing on a door that had materialized in one of the walls. I began to move towards it, instincts pushing my confusion out of the way. Before I could even take two steps, someone threw a hood over my head. My elbows and feet flailed, trying to plant themselves on my attacker. It was no use. Strong arms wrapped around my torso, containing me enough to drag me somewhere only God knew of. My attacker threw me onto the ground suddenly, pulling my hood off before I hit the floor. The room I had been in was gone. I looked around, but it was completely empty. That's when I heard them. The whispers. They were telling me to run. The same warning over and over again, getting louder with each second. I sprang to my feet, the room now swirling around me. There wasn't a door. I was trapped.

This is the sequel (continuation) of After. Hardin and Tessa's relationship will be tested in ways she never expected, but he knew of all along.

The passionate story of Tessa and Hardin continues as family secrets, deep betrayals, and career opportunities threaten to tear them apart.

Tessa Young is an 18 year old college student with a simple life, excellent grades, and a sweet boyfriend. She always has things planned out ahead of time, until she meets a rude boy named Hardin, with too many tattoos and piercings who shatters her plans.