A kiss can change everything. One kiss with your best friend, and it changes the whole dynamic. What will you do when you get to know that your best friend has been in love with you? What will you do when she doesn't want to be friends anymore and wants more instead? * "Everytime I see you with a guy, my skin fucking burns" Millie hisses, pinning me with an intense look that makes my belly flip. I am pinned to the wall with her caging me. "Do you know how hard it is to pretend that you are only my friend, and nothing more? That I love you but cannot have you?" Her words spin inside my head, and the thundering beating of my heart echoes in my ear. How do we come to this situation? I pant as she leans closer, her eyes averting to my parted lips. I am having thoughts of kissing her. Hell, I see her in my dreams so often now that I am not sure what she means to me now. Millie caresses my cheeks and a shiver runs down my spine. "I can't pretend anymore, Grace. It's getting really hard" she whispers in my ear and I squirm. When she meets my eyes, I say something that surprises her. "Then don't." I crash my lips on hers, crossing whatever lines we had.
Sixteen.
Sixteen is this damn weird age-you're not a kid anymore, but being an adult feels like putting on a suit three sizes too big. It's that awkward stage where you're still getting the hang of it, stumbling around, pretending to have shit figured out when, really, you're as clueless as ever.
Friendships get messier, crushes get more complicated, and everything feels like it's got hidden layers. Suddenly, nothing's innocent anymore.
Take the cafeteria at Halloway High, where Shawn Jones, king of the shallow end of the gene pool, is strutting around like he owns the place. He's got this cocky smirk plastered on his face, basking in all the attention he's raking in.
Today, he's bragging about his latest "accomplishment"-some sleazy, fucked-up story about sleeping with a teacher.
The second he starts talking, the whole place erupts with laughter, like it's some twisted badge of honor. And everyone's feeding into it, grinning and high-fiving like it's the coolest thing in the world.
And me? I'm just sitting there, my stomach flipping. I can't believe what I'm hearing. Since when did this become something to cheer for?
When did sleeping with someone who's supposed to be in charge of you, who's supposed to have a line they don't cross, become something people admired?
But all that cafeteria bullshit is a distant memory as I charge toward the basketball court, practically strangling my phone in my fist.
The morning sun's too damn bright, hitting my face like it's personally out to blind me. I scan the court, looking for her - Millie, smack in the middle of a game, her brown hair a wild mess and her face locked in that intense, "I'm-going-to-win-this-shit" look. She's about to make a shot when I yell out.
"Millie!"
She stops, ball still in hand, and squints in my direction, looking confused as hell. "What?" she yells back, like I just interrupted the most important play of her life.
"We need to talk!" I snap.
Five minutes later, we're in the changing room, and she's watching me with that irritatingly smug, raised-brow look.
She leans against the lockers like she didn't just drop a bomb into my morning.
"What's up, dimples?" she asks, smirking like she's got all the time in the world.
I shove my phone in her face, every ounce of chill gone. "What the actual fuck is this?" I say, my voice hard and pissed.
Her eyes dart to the screen, the cockiness on her face replaced by a flicker of surprise, and for a second, I think she might actually look sorry.
But no. Instead, she lets out this laugh - a full-on, head-thrown-back laugh, like this is the funniest damn thing she's seen all week. "Oh my God," she snorts, her eyes twinkling. "He actually replied?"
"Millie, what did you do?" I say, crossing my arms, the frustration boiling over. I swear, she just lives to mess with me.
She shrugs, like she's innocent or something. "Relax, I just borrowed your phone, shot him a text, and hit send. You're welcome."
"You texted him!" I choke out, feeling the urge to throw my phone across the room.
But honestly, the real nightmare here is what she texted him.
I throw her an incredulous look, barely able to believe what I'm seeing on my own screen. "I can't believe you actually sent him that." My voice is barely more than a growl, but Millie just grins wider, totally unbothered, which only makes me angrier.
"Oh, come on, Gracie," she says, rolling her eyes like I'm the one being ridiculous. "It's not that serious! Plus, now you know what a desperate, thirsty leech this guy is." She smirks, her tone so breezy.
I snatch my phone back from her and scroll through the texts. Every single word he replied with is burned into my brain now, courtesy of Millie.
Leaning in way too close, she starts reciting his last message right in my ear.
"'Sure! I'm a bit taken aback, babe. Didn't know you were into that, but I'm glad. Can I video call you tonight? I so want to show you my cock, and I'm sure you'll love it. Xoxo,'" she quotes, stifling another burst of laughter.
I shove her away, face twisted in disgust. "Ugh, Millie, shut up! His texts are so nasty, it's like... does he even hear himself?"
She just laughs harder, unbothered as ever. But I can feel my face heat up, that mix of embarrassment and rage bubbling over. "Why the hell did you think it was a good idea to text him, 'Hey, hottie, I'm horny. Can you help me?' Millie, I'm mortified!" I throw my head back, groaning at the ceiling, and she just shrugs.
"Gracie, stop freaking out. It's just for fun," she says, still chuckling. "Besides, now you know he's a total perv."
I smack her arm and drop down on the bench beside her, my mind still spinning. I glance down at my phone again, scrolling through the texts that I have with Finn.
I mutter, more to myself than her, "I actually thought Finn was... I don't know, like, a decent guy? I mean, he seemed chill." My cheeks still burn, the reality of Finn's gross response making my skin crawl.
"Guess I was wrong," I add quietly, feeling Millie's gaze on me as she finally softens a little.
"Yeah, but better to find out now," she says, patting my shoulder. And just like that, she's laughing again.
I can't help it-I burst out laughing too. The way Millie's cackling is infectious, her whole face lit up like she just won the lottery. I shake my head and tell her, "You're such a red guard for me, you know?"
She pauses, trying to catch her breath, brows scrunched in confusion. "Wait, what the hell is a red guard?"
Still laughing, I explain, "Every time I get close to making a boyfriend, there you are, ready to blow it all to hell." And it's true. She's like my personal disaster squad, always lurking with some ridiculous plan to ruin any guy I might have a chance with.
"Remember Harry?" I ask, and she starts grinning, knowing exactly where I'm going. Last month, Harry from my algebra class asked me out on a movie date. We'd been vibing pretty well for a couple of months, so I thought, why not?
But of course, Millie couldn't let that slide. Nope. She shows up in the theater, dragging along some random dude I didn't even know. Turns out, that random dude was Harry's secret crush. And apparently, that guy was also into Harry.
By the end of the night, they're making out in the back row, and I'm going home with Millie, who's doubled over, laughing her ass off like she just pulled off the world's best prank.
She pinches my cheeks then, and her expression softens as she looks right into my eyes. "I'll do anything to make sure you don't get hurt," she says, voice unexpectedly serious. "None of these guys deserve you."
I roll my eyes, but my heart squeezes a little. That's Millie for you-chaos wrapped in a protective shield.
She ruffles her sweaty hair back, all nonchalant, like she didn't just drop a mini emotional bomb on me.
"Oh yeah?" I say, smirking, "So, according to you, no one in the world deserves me because I'm too special?"
She shrugs, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Damn right. You should just be with me."
I nudge her shoulder, laughing. "Shut up, idiot." I pull her into a hug, holding her tight. For all her pranks and sabotage, she's my best friend, my partner in crime. I'd pick her over any guy, any day.
She smirks, pulling back just enough to say, "So... I'm your rebound, huh?"
I raise a brow, giving her a playful nudge. "You want that tag?"
She pretends to think it over, biting her lip, eyes twinkling with that same troublemaker spark. Then, turning to me with a grin, she says, "I'll tell you over text... or maybe I'll keep you waiting for a video call tonight."
She laughs again, full of mischief, and I can't help but roll my eyes.
"God, you love messing with me," I say, exasperated but grinning like an idiot.
Then, she leans closer, her laughter fading just a little, her face now inches from mine. "I love you," she says, soft but sure, the words hanging in the air, almost catching me off guard.
"My hatred is as strong as my love." When Liam- her best friend was admitted to the hospital, Lilliana was devastated. She refused to believe that Liam committed suicide. When Liam shut himself from the world, she went to the school to find the answers. But that didn't helped her in anything. And she knew that it was Liam who could tell her about the truth. So when she knew about the truth, she decided to give justice to Liam and teach a lesson to those who were responsible for Liam's condition. However, Lilliana wasn't expecting to meet a blue-eyed guy and get entangle with him. He was everything that she despised. Rowan Rogerson was the bad boy and the heartthrob of Crescent Heights. The more she tried to distance herself from him, the more he tried to pull her closer to him. Lilliana was slowly opening up to him when a shocking truth changed everything. What if Rowan was involved in Liam's case? What if he was the one to hurt Liam?
Amora (Athena) Followhill, the fierce and enigmatic leader of Arcillia’s most powerful mafia clan, has always stood apart. As the first female head in a world dominated by men, she is everything the women in her country are not—bold, fiery, intimidating, and unyieldingly brave. But beneath her tough exterior lies a secret, a craving for the forbidden, and a penchant for the wild and kinky. Her number one priority is finding Cario Santiago, the man who betrayed her and ruthlessly killed her grandfather. She has vowed to hunt him down and make him pay with his life. Nothing will stop her from fulfilling this promise. Amora's world takes an unexpected turn when she meets Vincent, a man whose devastating looks and magnetic charm make women lose their minds. For Amora, a night with a stranger is nothing new, just another fleeting thrill. But Vincent is different. He wants more than just a night. When she reveals her true identity, expecting him to back off in fear, Vincent only becomes more determined. He is relentless, his pursuit unwavering, and he makes it clear he will stop at nothing to win her heart. Amora is used to being the one in control, but Vincent’s persistence shakes her to the core. As time goes on, Amora finds herself slowly falling for him, an emotion beyond her control. However, what will happen when she discovers that the man to whom she has given her heart holds a secret that could destroy her world? In a game where surrender is not an option, the stakes have never been higher.
Madisyn was stunned to discover that she was not her parents' biological child. Due to the real daughter's scheming, she was kicked out and became a laughingstock. Thought to be born to peasants, Madisyn was shocked to find that her real father was the richest man in the city, and her brothers were renowned figures in their respective fields. They showered her with love, only to learn that Madisyn had a thriving business of her own. "Stop pestering me!" said her ex-boyfriend. "My heart only belongs to Jenna." "How dare you think that my woman has feelings for you?" claimed a mysterious bigwig.
Mia's life is spiraling out of control. Abandoned by her mother, bullied mercilessly at school, and thrown into a household of four dangerously attractive stepbrothers, she's desperate to find her footing. "You look absolutely edible," Sean growled, his eyes devouring her. Mia felt a rush of heat between her thighs "Oh, you think so?" she purred, turning to face him. She reached out and traced her fingers along the ribbon that wrapped around his waist. "Well, I've been waiting for this all day. And I'm starving." Sean's smile grew into a predatory grin. "Then let us feast," he said, and in a flash, the ribbon fell away, exposing his rock-hard length. He stepped closer, and Mia felt the warmth of his breath on her face as he whispered, "You're going to take every inch of us tonight, aren't you?" With Rolex's teasing smirk and Sean's quiet, hot stares, Mia doesn't know where to turn-or who to trust. Every glance, every touch leaves her breathless, confused, and craving more than she should. Will Mia survive their games, or will she lose herself in a dangerous world of secrets, seduction, and forbidden desire? One house. Four brothers. Endless temptation.
After being kicked out of her home, Harlee learned she wasn't the biological daughter of her family. Rumors had it that her impoverished biological family favored sons and planned to profit from her return. Unexpectedly, her real father was a zillionaire, catapulting her into immense wealth and making her the most cherished member of the family. While they anticipated her disgrace, Harlee secretly held design patents worth billions. Celebrated for her brilliance, she was invited to mentor in a national astronomy group, drew interest from wealthy suitors, and caught the eye of a mysterious figure, ascending to legendary status.
In order to fulfill her grandfather's last wish, Stella entered into a hasty marriage with an ordinary man she had never met before. However, even after becoming husband and wife on paper, they each led separate lives, barely crossing paths. A year later, Stella returned to Seamarsh City, hoping to finally meet her mysterious husband. To her astonishment, he sent her a text message, unexpectedly pleading for a divorce without ever having met her in person. Gritting her teeth, Stella replied, "So be it. Let’s get a divorce!" Following that, Stella made a bold move and joined the Prosperity Group, where she became a public relations officer that worked directly for the company’s CEO, Matthew. The handsome and enigmatic CEO was already bound in matrimony, and was known to be unwaveringly devoted to his wife in private. Unbeknownst to Stella, her mysterious husband was actually her boss, in his alternate identity! Determined to focus on her career, Stella deliberately kept her distance from the CEO, although she couldn't help but notice his deliberate attempts to get close to her. As time went on, her elusive husband had a change of heart. He suddenly refused to proceed with the divorce. When would his alternate identity be uncovered? Amidst a tumultuous blend of deception and profound love, what destiny awaited them?
Once upon a time, there were two kingdoms once at peace. The kingdom of Salem and the kingdom of Mombana... Until the day, the king of Mombana passed away and a new monarch took over, Prince Cone. Prince Cone, has always been hungry for more power and more and more. After his coronation, he attacked Salem. The attack was so unexpected, Salem never prepared for it. They were caught off guard. The king and Queen was killed, the prince was taken into slavery. The people of Salem that survived the war was enslaved, their land taken from them. Their women were made sex slaves. They lost everything, including their land. Evil befall the land of Salem in form of Prince Cone, and the prince of Salem in his slavery was filled with so much rage. The prince of Salem, Prince Lucien swore revenge. 🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳 Ten years later, thirty-years old Lucien and his people raided a coup and escaped slavery. They went into hiding and recuperated. They trained day and night under the leadership of the fearless and cold Lucien who was driven with everything in him to get back their land, and take Mombana land too. It took them five years before they ambushed and attacked Mombana. They killed Prince Cone and reclaimed everything. As they screamed out their victory, Lucien's eyes found and pinned the proud princess of Mombana. Princess Danika. The daughter of Prince Cone. As Lucien stared at her with the coldest eyes anyone can ever possess, he felt victory for the first time. He walked to the princess with the slave collar he'd won for ten years rattling in his hand as he walked. He reached close to her and with a swift movement, he collared her neck. Then, he tilted her chin up, staring into the bluest eyes and the most beautiful face ever created, he gave her a cold smile. "You are my acquisition. My slave. My sex slave. My property. I will pay you in spades, everything you and your father ever did to me and my people." He stated curtly. Pure hatred, coldness and victory was the only emotion on his face. .
After two years of marriage, Sadie was finally pregnant. Filled with hope and joy, she was blindsided when Noah asked for a divorce. During a failed attempt on her life, Sadie found herself lying in a pool of blood, desperately calling Noah to ask him to save her and the baby. But her calls went unanswered. Shattered by his betrayal, she left the country. Time passed, and Sadie was about to be wed for a second time. Noah appeared in a frenzy and fell to his knees. "How dare you marry someone else after bearing my child?"