What begins as an ordinary day quickly spirals into something extraordinary for Mason. When his school is reportedly flooded beyond repair, he's forced to transfer to Short Meadow High - a new environment, new faces, and, as it turns out, new adventures. But Mason's thirst for excitement never stays quiet for long. After a few strange coincidences and overheard conversations, he discovers that the flood might not have been an accident at all. Digging deeper, he uncovers that his old school was shut down for a reason far darker than anyone let on. The truth surfaces when news breaks that the notorious scientist Dr. Jeremy Langhammer-a brilliant but deranged criminal mastermind-has escaped from a nearby prison. Soon Mason learns that Langhammer and his network of henchmen are using the abandoned school as their secret hideout. With his parents, Mark and Michelle, conveniently out of town, Mason feels an unshakable pull to uncover the truth himself. Against all odds, he and his loyal friends embark on an investigation filled with danger, deception, and a trail of toxic experiments that could threaten the entire town. Between unraveling mysteries and keeping up with school life, Mason and his friends still find time to chase their passions-trying out for sports, exploring the campus, and unexpectedly earning spots on the team. But as two months pass and his old school finally reopens, Mason faces a heart-wrenching choice: stay with his new friends at Short Meadow or return to the past he's just escaped. And with whispers of lingering danger, the real question becomes-will his curiosity lead to discovery or disaster?
When Charlotte agrees to fake date bad boy Mason to make her best friend and secret crush, Ben, jealous, she thinks it will be a simple arrangement. The rules are clear and she's certain of her goal: make Ben fall in love with her. So why does it seem like the lines always blur when Mason is around?
***
Charlotte Anderson has secretly been in love with her best friend, Ben Hathaway, since childhood, though he's never seen her as anything but the girl next door. After witnessing Ben kissing another girl at a party, a heartbroken Charlotte accidentally admits her crush to notorious bad boy Mason Reed... who also happens to be one of Ben's closest friends. But Mason isn't going to tell Charlotte's secret; instead, he suggests they fake a relationship to make Ben jealous. They create a set of strict rules for the arrangement: no kissing when Ben isn't around, no sex, and no falling in love. But as their fake relationship progresses, and Mason's walls break down, Charlotte finds herself questioning her true feelings for both boys, and wondering if some rules are meant to be broken-especially when it comes to love.
[[word count: 100,000 - 150,000]]
Cover designed by Gillian Goulet
(This story is a standalone title in the Dependency series)
[[Wattpad Editors Choice: June 2021]]