| 3x Featured | | ONC 2023 Shortlister | "I'm not scared of heights. I'm afraid of falling from them." - - - A love-cynical high school athlete and a helpful, ailed high school senior work together, maintaining a dating platform to escape family and forget time, but distraction isn't the only thing that awaits them. - - - When sixteen-year-old love cynical Natalie Greene takes a job with a dating company, it's not because she wants the job. Rather, she wants to escape from her new reality. What's more, Natalie knows the recruiter, a lively acquaintance from school. The acquaintance, Winn Elsher, a boy of seventeen with bright eyes, a sunny smile... and cancer. Even though his time here is short, Winn acts like his world is right as rain, keeping his illness under wraps. But he may not be able to hide behind over helpfulness forever. Natalie wants a distraction. Winn wants to help. Tangled in the dating company's regular recruiting procedure, they are destined to spend more hours together. And before they know it, feelings spark. But Natalie doesn't believe in love, and Winn isn't keen on sharing his secret. They are both afraid of falling... and not just for each other. - - - ONC 2023 entry. Prompt 57: Unknown to everyone you are battling a life-threatening condition. With only a couple of weeks to live you help your friend get the partner of their dreams, except they're in love with you. Completed: April 30, 2023 Word Count: 35,000 - 40,000
23 parts