Persephoné is a not so regular 4th year college student in a prestige University. She is a smart, pretty, and sexy girl that has a millionaire hottie as a suitor. Her life is going great. Or so what outsiders would think.

Prepare for heavy drama.

Lixia woke up 10 minutes before 5am. After tidying her bed, she walks to the bathroom, washed her face and brushed her teeth. She changed into workout clothes, grabbed her phone and keys then go for a morning run.  The city still half asleep when she went out of her apartment. Listening to her favourite playlist, she finished 4km run this morning. 
Everyday, Lixia will spend at least one hour for exercise. Back when she was a first year student in university, she was addicted to watch tv dramas, especially Korean and Chinese dramas. During that time, she will eat lots of junk food and unhealthy snacks while watching her favourite drama. Her favourite snack combo was honey butter Korean fried chicken and huge glass of strawberry milkshake. Within 3 months, she gained 15kg. Her parents was horrified looking at their daughter figure. They were afraid she will get diabetes or other scary diseases. 
One day, her brothers forced Lixia to watch a documentary film about obesity. It was a wake up call she needed. For the next 6 months, Lixia eats healthy food and workout regularly. Her parents hired a personal trainer to help her losing weights. After 6 long months, Lixia's weights went back to healthy range and until now she managed to keep her healthy habits.  She learns to cook, avoid junk foods and only dine outside when necessary. 
When her parents bought this apartment, they equipped the kitchen based on Lixia's request.  It looks like a professional kitchen from cooking show on tv. Her favourite feature is the marble kitchen island in the middle. Lixia loves baking, she spends most of her weekend at this apartment trying or creating new recipes. 
Feeling hungry, Lixia took a quick shower then cook herself a hearty breakfast. 
Breakfast this morning consist of scrambled eggs with spinach and feta cheese, grilled sourdough bread and freshly squeezed orange juice. 
'Hmm, i'm still hungry and I want something sweet' thought Lixia. She walks to the freezer and she saw frozen bananas inside a container. She wants to make a small bowl of banana ice cream. It's easy to make, put frozen banana chunks in food processor, she added frozen strawberries chunks and  two medjool dates as sweetener. Lixia put her masterpiece in a bowl, add a handful of chopped almonds and cacao nibs then eat the ice cream with delights. After finished eating, she cleaned the kitchen and take a quick 20 minutes rest before her hectic day started. 
She has so many things to do today. First, she has to make two different cookies for Yoona eonnie then in the afternoon, she needs to prepare ingredients for their dinner in the evening. Lixia decided to bake cookies for her parents and brothers as well. It's been a while since she baked for them. Tomorrow she will visit Youxuan ge and  Youchen ge offices before she go home to Tan residence.

20 minutes later

Lixia puts her apron on and started her mise en place. She likes to be organised in the kitchen. Baking is like a chemistry, you need a proper measurements to make sure you achieved the best result. Lixia started to gather all necessary ingredients to make her famous oatmeal and raisin cookies. 
First, Lixia soaked the raisins in warm water to make them plump.  Then she gathers the dry ingredients: all purpose flour, rolled oats, salt, bicarbonate soda, and cinnamon. She puts the dry ingredients inside a bowl then make sure everything is mixed properly.
After that she started to measure the wet ingredients: unsalted butter, vanilla extract, granulated sugar, brown sugar, molasses, and large eggs. Because Yoona and everyone like soft and chewy cookies, Lixia use more brown sugar than granulated sugar in her recipe. 
Happy with her preparation, Lixia proceeds to the next step. Using her trusty stand mixer, she beats the butter and both sugar  until smooth. Then she adds the eggs, one at a time. After that she adds the rest of the wet ingredients and beat the mixture until combined. Last but not least, she added the dry ingredients in two batches and mixed until combined in low speed. The dough need to be chilled in the fridge for 30 minutes because it's too sticky at the moment. 
Meanwhile, Lixia preheat the oven into 177C and prepared her baking tray. While waiting for the dough in the fridge, she makes another two batches of cookie dough. Not long after, you can smell cinnamon and buttery cookies from the oven. After removing from the oven, Lixia let the cookies cool down on the tray from 5 minutes before transferring them into cooling rack. She repeated this process twice before move to make white chocolate macadamia cookies. Lixia divides those cookies into several airtight containers to keep them fresh. 
It's almost time for lunch when her phone ringing. 
"Little squirrel, are you busy? Would you like to have lunch together?" Kim Taeyang's deep masculine voice can be heard from the other side. 
"I'm baking cookies Oppa, just finished the last batch." answered Lixia with cheerful voice.
"Oh, what did you make? Raisin oatmeal cookies? What about my favourite white and macadamia cookies? Did you bake some for me?" Taeyang asked with teasing voice. 
"Of course! I'm planning to give them to you later. How could I forget your favourite cookies?" replied Lixia with serious tone.
"Haha, Little squirrel, you're a sweet talker, aren't you? Okay, what do you want for lunch? Oppa will bring them to you. I have your favourite Madelines with me." 
"Can you bring lamb souvlaki from our usual place on Chapel street? I still have to prepare ingredients for our dinner so I can't go out." 
"Will do. You don't want raw onion right? I'll be there in 30 minutes. Wait for me." Says Taeyang before he hung up.

Hayden plops back on his chair in frozen shock for a couple seconds, realization settling in hard.
It would only mean one thing, that Dream's heat had started off right after his and… Dale! He figures with a sharp gasp.
But right now, he shouldn't be worried about that, he thinks to himself, getting up in a hurry as he grabs more napkins from the table to follow after Dream who was most likely throwing up,
Before being apprehensive about the entire situation, he was excited, he had someone who he could share with and who would understand him.
"Dream?" He calls worriedly, stepping into the restroom which was gratefully empty to find his friend hunched over the sink looking pale.
Hayden is quick to move into action, wiping Dream's face although the other Omega weakly protests, pulling him into a hug when he's done.
He's not surprised at the soft sniffles that escape Dream, rubbing his back and shoulders comfortingly.
"It's fine, Dream, I'm so happy for you." He says with immense sincerity, choosing to not bombard his friend with questions.
Dream leans back to look at him with grateful eyes, taking more napkins to dry his eyes and blow his nose. "Thank you." He sniffs.
"Yeah…" Hayden says absently, scrunching up his nose, whatever synthetic scented perfume they used in the place was triggering him. "We should maybe get back to our seats, I'm not vibing with this fake citrus scent." Hayden murmurs, a hand over his throat as he gulps.
This makes Dream crack up, laughing out loud with teary eyes. "Sure, I bet if Leon or Darian peek in and don't find us, there would be chaos."
*~*
"So, you're a lesbian now, huh, Dia?" Mr. Micall rounds up on his wife. "Or you're just trying to get back at me."
Dia makes a face of disgust at this, sipping her sweet tea quietly. "Firstly, why do you keep saying lesbian like you expected me to get offended and I don't care about you anymore, not for more than a decade, I wouldn't even buy earrings because of you, much less fall in love, now are you done?" She continues calmly. "We have an appointment, remember?"
He's stunned silent by her words, gritting his teeth as he picks up his leather jacket. "I'm ready, I'll definitely be better off without you anyway."
"Sure." Dia smiles patronizingly, going to keep her now empty cup in the kitchen. "Whatever helps you sleep better at night, Al."
They both get in Dia's car, Heather was the one taking care of the bakery for the morning, Dia wasn't even worried, it was Heather.
"I'll be moving into the Pack House as soon as I can arrange it." Al says rudely, eyes fixed on his phone. "Don't come running back."
"I'll try my best." Dia replies, giving him a tight smile, she had barely been in the car with him for a couple minutes but she already wanted to throw him out of her car.
•~•
"What do you mean we're out of strawberries?" Renee asks Jaxon who had inadvertently gotten the mantle of cooking for the fourth floor occupants now that Hayden wasn't the one doing it - Yes, Renee had moved in.
It wasn't as chaotic as Virgil feared, yet.
"Hay eats through them so fast." Jaxon panics, knowing that a throwing-up fit would follow if there were no strawberries for the Luna.
"As his main meals?" Renee asks, she had been busy with moving for the past couple days so she hadn't been around much.
She also didn't think it was healthy for her son to eat only strawberries.
Jaxon winces. "No, as snacks, I think, he just eats them Renee!" The Head Beta half wails, slapping both hands on his face.
"Okay, calm down Jaxie, I'll go get more." She quickly acquiesces, still confused as to how the literal truckload of strawberries she had ordered as soon as she found out about his craving was finished.
She was going to have to do something about all this strawberry eating… who was she kidding? All Hayden had to do was ask for more and she would buy a couple farms full of the stuff.
They were probably not the right people to watch over a pregnant Hayden but she would give a lot to the person who could say no to Hayden.
She stopped by her apartment, which was beside Yanis' to pick up her bag, she would have to buy some from the market then place another order.
At least Yanis had handled the news of Hayden's pregnancy quite well so that was one less person to worry about, although Renee couldn't help but feel like he was still in shock.
Her phone rings just as she got to the foyer so she slows down to pick up, a couple coming in just at that same time, making her glance up, a smile on her face as she notices Dia.
"Oh, Dia, hi… and…" She turns to the man standing beside her friend, her heart stopping as a heavy sense of deja vu' hits her. 
"Alex?"
The man flinches backwards at this, Dia stepping back to watch the drama unfold in front of her.
"I-I'm sorry, who are you?" Alex tries to cover up.
Renee just hangs up on the call, she could deal with that later - who would think that she would find him right here, in Pine Creek…  Hayden's father…
She studies him, he hadn't changed too much, still the cocky bastard he always was… just older, his previously shiny blond hair that he was so proud of now flecked with grey, dark blue eyes now lined, although being a werewolf, it meant that he was definitely way older than he said he was when they first met.
While she was barely an adult…
She ignores his apparent tries to cover up, something else hitting her.
"Wait, Dia, you said your husband was back?"
Dia steps forward at this, standing protectively beside Renee. "Yeah, I did, although he doesn't seem to need to be introduced." She says pointedly, glaring at him. "Alex, this is my friend, Renee, Ren, that Alex, my asshole of a husband."


Life is all roses and strawberries with your asexual mother till Alpha wolves fall in love with you. 

And now you have to choose... But who do you pick?

Hayden Lebaron is an average teenage boy, well if average means being about the size of a midget and being babied by everyone, at least that's what he thinks.
 A new student moves to their school and Hayden finds out that he's deeper in the Werewolf world that he ever thought possible and the worst part was that he had no idea that Werewolves even existed.



EXCERPT :

"What the fuck did you do?" Virgil demands his eyes dark, the only reason Dale doesn't have a black eye yet is because he's still carrying me. 

I intervene quickly before Virgil changes his mind and decides to land the punch. "V-Vi-Virgil." I stutter out desperately, reaching for him. "I-It wasn't D-Dale, h-he d-didn't d-do any-anything."

"What sort of boyfriend are you, letting your girlfriend get beat up by dudes in the boys bathroom?" Dale accuses, snatching me back and ending my efforts to reach for Virgil, his leaf green eyes nearly glowing. 

Shana is momentarily stunned, "Girlfriend?"  She mouths to me, I close my eyes in embarrassment, this was one of those days I wanted to start over. 

Virgil isn't even fazed by the obvious confusion. "Thanks." He bites out coldly, the appreciation has the same energy as 'go jump off a cliff. "Now give me back my girlfriend."

"No. Now get away from me, you're in my way." Dale deadpans, making a move to continue his journey. 

"I won't ask you again." Virgil says in a deadly voice, stepping in front of us, electric blue eyes nearly jumping from his face with how hard he is glaring. 

"Hayden sounds terrified of you so no, I'm not giving her back. Now get the fuck out of my way." He says, his quiet voice ringing volumes, the entire hallway is silent now, the entire school watching the school's heartthrob go against the hot new kid... and over me! - I wail mentally, wishing I was a bird, a pebble, anything but Hayden LeBaron right now.



VOLUME 2

•~•
Come talk to me on discord at Aryna Stan#5852 I'd love to hear your thoughts...

Link to the Discord server...

https://discord.gg/qYk2ka7fc7

•~•

"Yeah, it sure looked like you are! All those girls you danced before were your girlfriends!?" Asked Rachel.

"Why!? are you getting jealous of them!?" asked Kenichi with a teasing smirk on his face.

"hmnp! As if? I was just asking to know how many girls you are playing with!" replied Rachel.

"Hey! I don't play with girls, you can ask any of my girls and the only answer you will get is how good I am, whether it's the time I spend with them or in the bed" Kenichi stated as he led Rachel while dancing. The starlight was upon them making Rachel happy who loved the attention.

"Quite confident are we!" stated Rachel but still smiled after looking at the smirk on Kenichi's face as if saying 'You don't know anything'

"You know what we make a good combo" grinned Rachel as she closed in to give him a Kiss. Only for Kenichi to twirl her around once again as Kenichi said "That we do! but if you use things like kisses to stay in the spotlight then it isn't good."

"Hey! What type of women do you think I am!?" asked Rachel.

"A women who will do anything to stay in the spotlight whether it's to kill a person or strip your clothes" replied Kenichi after which he let go of Rachel and moved towards the table where her friends were sitting to eat something, leaving Rachel alone to contemplate on what he just said.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

"Look Kenichi there are so many sweets available," said Miu from her seat.

Kenichi smiled and looked at her then towards the table where sweets were placed but were surprised to look at a small girl staring at the table from a distance but not moving towards it.

That girl was none other then Chikage Kushinada and looking at her face Kenichi couldn't help but think about his little sister Honoka who also loved sweets but unlike Chikage she didn't have to force herself to not eat them.

"You all eat! I will be back in a minute" said Kenichi as he stood up from his seat and walked towards Chikage.

Looking at Kenichi and Chikage Saeko easily understood what he was going to do an anyone with a brain can see Chikage drooling over the sweets but not moving towards them.

"Sigh.... he doesn't know when to stop himself" stated Saeko as she turned her head back and started talking to Bobbi and other girls once again. 

"Hello, Chikage! Why are you standing here? If you want those deserts you should have them!" said Kenichi as he stood right beside her.

"Sweets and Deserts are not healthy for our body!" replied Chikage regaining her emotional face.

"What!? That's a butt load of a lie! You should know that I can name 5 health benefits that come from sweets and deserts" stated Kenichi, "You don't have to stop yourself from eating them until you are eating them in the limit"

"Name them!?" Chikage asked

"Huh!! Sorry!?" Kenichi said.

"Name the benefits of eating sweets and Deserts?" stated Chikage.

"Oh! OK, then 1. Desserts are packed with nutrients.
There's a reason why your body craves certain delicious desserts. Low carb diets often overlook the fact that carbohydrates are an essential nutrient for the body. While desserts may not be the healthiest form of carbohydrates, the right indulgences can fuel your body and mind.
Plus, sweets such as pumpkin pie or dark chocolate contain rich sources of whole foods that provide necessary vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants to your diet. That's the first point" said Kenichi as he placed a piece of pumpkin pie on a plate and gave it to Chikage.

Chikage took the pumpkin pie from Kenichi and looked at him and asked: "What about the other benefits!?"

"Why don't you eat the pie first! and I will tell you the rest while you are eating it" replied Kenichi hearing which Chikage nodded her head and took the first bite.

The moment she took a bite from the pie Chikage couldn't help but broke into smile seeing which Kenichi also smiled as well.
 
"2. Desserts make you happier…And you are proof that I am right!
You just took a bite from this desert and broke into a smile! Why? because you felt happier right!. That feeling is real.
According to The Nest, foods that have a naturally high percentage of carbohydrates help the brain and body produce chemicals (such as serotonin) that contribute to overall emotional well-being.
Indulging in your favorite dessert alters your mind and body in positive ways. Take full advantage of this scientific process by allowing yourself to enjoy your favorite sweet treat without that extra side of guilt. You really are doing something good for your body!

3. Eating dessert can actually improve your weight control.
Cravings for sweets are one of the biggest causes of diet failure. When the average adult quits eating desserts altogether, they may see improvement in their short term fitness goals.
However, studies have shown that adults who indulge in dessert but eat an otherwise nutritious diet have a greater chance of producing long term success in weight loss. This is true because the body will respond to small amounts of desserts that satisfy cravings by satiating its own appetite for them.

4. Desserts offer a convenient opportunity to incorporate more fruit into your diet.
Fruit, as we all know by now, is an essential part of your daily intake of nutrients that keep you healthy, strong, and immune to certain diseases. Unfortunately, you may not be getting the necessary dose of these powerful food options.
Adding raspberries and blueberries to a bowl of frozen greek yogurt makes an already healthy dessert (rich in protein and healthy fats) into a positively vital meal for your daily fruit intake. Don't be afraid to get creative; from chocolate-covered strawberries to vanilla and mango smoothies, the options are all scrumptious and endless.

5. Desserts can remedy the negative side effects of dieting.
Ever wonder why they serve jello or chocolate pudding to hospital patients? When patients lose their appetite due to illness, it is easier and more enjoyable to consume sugary, low-nutrient carbohydrates than any other type of food.
According to the National Eating Disorders Association, suddenly decreasing your intake of carbs and sugar deprives your body of the necessary glucose needed for energy. Dieting can actually increase feelings of sluggishness, mental fog, and distraction.

Luck wasn't on his side as when he was just few steps away from becoming the world champion in karate he was killed by his by his opponents scheme who was afraid to fight against him and wanted the cup. But he was once again given a chance to reborn as Kenichi Shirahama and become the strongest martial artist.


 Watch and see how he conquers the world by becoming the strongest disciple and also how he conquers the women's he likes in his Harem


I have reuploaded the chapters again as to the problem of Power stones that occurred in the previous one.



Discord: https://discord.gg/uxYX3n7


https://www.Patreon.com/Shashank_bhatt

Chapter 73: Episode 33 - Thinking of a Theme (3)
"That… was easy because I was making it in the image for someone else's sake…" I said gloomily.
"Then this time, you should make it for yourself," Kashino said.
"What?" I furrowed my eyes at this idea since his words caught me off guard.
"Keiko! Kashino! Come over here!" Fraise called out to us as she flew further down the orchard, interrupting our conversation.
Kashino and I followed her who directed us to an enormous vinyl greenhouse.
When we walked inside, we could see a lot of strawberry bushes neatly aligning the greenhouse.
"This is the 'Fraise' greenhouse!" Fraise said out loud and I could see a smile form on her lips.
I was shocked to see how ripe and healthy the strawberries were since the climate had changed.
"There are fruits even though it's autumn," I noticed in amazement, gazing at the ripe red strawberries.
"That's because we use them the whole year for sweets," Kashino explained, also looking around.
I grabbed onto one strawberry to take a closer look at its fascinating red color that sparkled in the light provided by the greenhouse.
"I think strawberries look cute. Don't you think they look like hearts?" I asked him, mesmerized by the various strawberries.
"Huh, I guess…" Kashino responded unsurely.
'In the past, my mom told me some weird things about the color of strawberries that made me laugh. It was—"
"The red ones are girls in love, the light pink ones are girls who fell in love at first sight, and the green ones are shocked with unrequited love." I smiled at this thought, remembering how silly my mother's explanation was.
"Pft—hehe, I never thought I'd hear those words coming from you, Michiko," Kashino said, chuckling to himself.
I turned to look at him confusedly but what caught me even more off guard was the expression Kashino had.
'Kashino… Did he just smile now?'
His emotionless face he usually wore lightened up a bit as he covered his bright wide grin with his hand.
'Kashino actually looks handsome when he smiles…'
I continued to stare at him, trying to take in the unfamiliar sight of an attractive, straight-faced boy actually smiling for once. But, I hadn't realized that I was staring too long.
"What?" Kashino said bluntly with the intense, cold look he always had on that could scare away even bugs.
"O-oh, nothing," I stuttered, looking away in panic.
As if pretending nothing happened, Kashino shrugged it off and knelt towards a bush of strawberries.
"Sweets that suit you, Michiko, are just fine. Rather than using something rare and doing the impossible, it's better to do something you like and know more about, that way, you can make something good for sure," Kashino lectured nonchalantly.
'Sweets that suit me? But, I don't really have anything in particular that suits me…'
"Keiko, look!" Fraise called and both me and Kashino directed our attention to our sweets spirits.
Surrounding Fraise and Chocolat were white-colored strawberries.
"These are the selectively bred "white strawberries". Aren't they cute?" Fraise said cutely with a happy look on her face. Her pink-white hair gradient mixed in well with the white strawberries and it felt nice to see that she was enjoying herself, even if we were just looking at fruits.
A smile formed on my face when she looked at me excitedly.
'Even Fraise is excited to see white strawberries. I guess those suit her since her name is derived from the word "strawberry" in French.'
"I saw these on the news. They remain like this… ripening in complete white. They say it's sweet," Kashino said, plucking a white strawberry off a bush.
Seeing how affectionately Fraise was staring at the strawberries, it almost looked as if it reminded her of something. Her eyebrows furrowed and I could tell she was troubled by something.
"Fraise, what's wrong?" I asked worriedly but she quickly snapped out of her thoughts.
"It's nothing… These just remind me of a sweet spirit I knew before I came to the human world…" Fraise whispered sadly.
"Is it Sucre?" I questioned but she shook her head.
"No… they were a male sweets spirit. They gifted me a white strawberry one time and it was rare to get in the Sweets Kingdom," Fraise explained, continuing to look at the strawberries with a soft smile. Looking at her face made me recall something.
'Fraise… Her facial expressions remind me of how my mother acted when she couldn't see dad due to work because they were busy... Is this the look of… longing? Love?'
I smacked my head at this thought because I don't know a thing about love besides watching corny romance movies. But, I couldn't help but be reminded of how my mother and father used to look at each other with affection in their eyes.
"Fraise… could you be… in love?" I asked boldly, clocking my head to the side.
Just by hearing the word "love," Fraise's face flushed to a deep red and she chuckled to herself.
"Hahaha, love? I could never!" Fraise laughed alone to herself but I could tell that these were signs of denial.
"You're lying through your teeth."
"You're right," she admitted but faced the other direction to calm herself down.
I gave a small smile to this confession but I wanted to hear more.
"Who are they?" I teased.
"Well, it doesn't really matter who they are… I haven't seen him for 6 years so he's probably forgotten me by now…" Fraise said sadly, covering her face with her light pink hair.
"How would you know? If he gave you white strawberries that were hard to get in the Sweets Kingdom, you must've meant something to him," I said, trying to ease her emotions.
At the mention of this, Fraise's expression lit up again.
"Really? Do you think so?" Fraise asked excitedly but I put on a fake smile because even I was unsure.
'I'm the wrong person to ask for this kind of information.'
"Umm… of course! Memories can still last for a long time, so even 6 years isn't that much. When you go back to the Sweets Kingdom, I hope you can meet him again," I encouraged.
"Well… he's most likely paired up with a human by now. I don't know where he is or who he's with." Fraise's expression turned gloomy again.
"Don't lose faith now. We know he's in the human world and he's most likely in this academy, considering that you all studied to enter the Japan Branch."
Hearing this, Fraise's bright blue eyes lit up again and she nodded her head along.
"Y-you're right! He's probably here at this academy and paired up with one of the high school students!" Fraise began to get back her energy. "When I see him again, I want to make him a dessert!"
I lightly chuckled at her words, examining how fast she could change her emotions like a roller coaster ride. But during this whole conversation, I recalled the word "love."

At a young age, Michiko Keiko had admired baking because her mother was a world-famous patissiere. Keiko had a talent for baking at a young age and her mother always knew that her child was special. Her mother introduced her to a whole new world whenever she baked, but ever since she passed away due to an accident when Keiko was 8, Keiko lost herself, unsure if anything could bring her back to reality. Her drive to bake disappeared along with the presence of her mother and she always held her emotions back. Instead of baking, she focused on her school work to be on top of her classes to deal with her grief. Though she thought about giving up on her dream to become a patissiere, she felt an emptiness in her that couldn’t be filled up unless she achieved that dream. She wants to prove to her mother in heaven that she can also become a world-renown patissiere. Her first step—entering the famous St. Marie Academy that specializes in training young patissiers.
But, what happens if there's more to baking than Keiko could ever think of? What kind of secrets will unravel relating to the death of her mother?



[This story is based off of the manga Yumeiro Patissiere. The MC displayed is my own original character and some ideas have evolved from the original work. Cover is created and drawn by me.]

"Just as I've imagined it. You've always been this characteristically pragmatic, not even one bit impulsive." The girl laughed.
"I share your imagination." Lin Sheng laughed too. As they said, laughter was the best medicine for awkwardness.
"I like you, and that's just me. It has nothing to do with you. Lin Sheng, I hope you well, healthy, and smart as ever. And no other girls will ever see your good might I add." She sounded as if she meant it.
"You're a good girl, but I've no plan to get into a relationship just yet," Lin Sheng said matter-of-factly. "There are many people attracted to you in our class as you're such a catch. You deserve more than this and shouldn't waste time on me."
"You're all that I want. But that's fine." The girl exhaled, broken-hearted. "I hope you will continue to remain single, just like you have said."
"I don't lie." Lin Sheng smiled.
They smiled at each other as if there was already a tacit understanding between them. They walked side by side for a while and then arrived at a junction. The girl clasped her hands and twitched her mouth; her delicate skin looked so tenderly soft under the soft light of the street lamps.
"Well, see you again, Lin Sheng."
 "Yup, until we meet again. Goodbye, Bervie." Lin Sheng reciprocated as he finally recalled her name.
The girl's affectionate smile suddenly collapsed and became stiff, her hand that she was waving at him just now had frozen midair. Her name was Sylvie, not Bervie. After a moment of silence, tears started to swirl in her eyes, and she turned around and left apace.
Lin Sheng stood there, dumbfounded. He then ripped the envelop open and looked at the letter, a confession of love. It was a long one. At the end of the letter was a heart with an arrow emoji, and the undersigned was Sylvie Adeline. The penny dropped, and it all made sense now. Lin Sheng finally knew why the girl ran away with such an emotional reaction. He crumpled the letter in his hand, tucked it inside his pocket, and gave himself a moment of silence for the relationship that died before it even started.
Lin Sheng trotted in the direction of his house. He had not rambled on the streets like this for a long while. It was seven something when the night market began to spring to life as stalls selling a variety of street food sprung up like mushrooms along the street.
Like an innocent child, Lin Sheng bought apple-flavored ice cream, happily savoring it in his mouth as he continued to meander in the night market. He passed by a food stall selling hot barbeque on sticks and bought a bunch of it, greedily devouring it until his lips swelled red from the spices.
Furthering up ahead, he saw a hotpot stall with lots of fresh green veggies, meats, and seafood on the iron pan. There were also bright red tomatoes, yellowish-green cucumbers, and jade-green bok choy. Not to mention potato slices, Chinese yam slices, sticks of chicken, lamb, beef, pork belly, and all. The owner grabbed whatever his customers ordered and tossed the ingredients into the boiling broth. Before long, a tantalizing aroma of spices and meats began to waft around in the air. Lin Sheng quickly found himself a seat. "I'd like to have fifty sticks of lamb, fifty sticks of beef, and ten sticks of potato and veggie each."
"Sure." The stall owner who grew a large waistline responded loudly. Lin Sheng sat at the table, silently finishing off the barbeque sticks that he had bought earlier while observing the flowing traffic. For a moment, he fell into deep thought.
At the adjacent table, three youngsters with the dragon, tiger, and panther tattoos on their arms were gulping glass after glass of beer down their throats along with the hotpot broth.
On the other side, a pair of lovey-dovely lovebirds were feeding each other 'bird-feed' as if they were the only persons in the world.
At the far-end table, an old man with brown glasses was diligently wiping the oily residue off the table using a single-use tablecloth.
Retracting his gaze, Lin Sheng lowered his head and wolfed down another two sticks of barbeque. He got a big jump in appetite after practicing the holy power. And as he got better at it, he began to feel that the holy power was actually his own soul, more like the cultivation of his mental strength.
When the hotpot was served, Lin Sheng quickly finished off the remaining few sticks of barbeque and proceeded to slurp up the aromatic hot and spicy broth. He had never found eating so enjoyable for a long time. When he finally had enough of it, he stopped and was almost in sweat. He paid and went back in the direction from where he had come.
After the break, it was time to study a way of dealing with the dark, fat dude. Lin Sheng would have to wait three days to recover before he could get back in after he died in the dream. He would not allow himself to fail again.
Back at home, his big sis, Lin Xiao, was watching TV in a wheelchair. It seemed she was recovering quickly. His dad was working hard in the study room, busily paring some wooden stuff. His mom, Gu Wanqiu, was laboriously weaving some ornament using colorful polyester thread for celebratory purposes in the kindergarten.
"You're home late. Have you had your dinner?" Gu Wanqiu quickly stopped what she was doing and came up to Lin Sheng as he walked in the doorway.
"Of course, I did. Haven't I told you not to wait for me?" Lin Sheng changed into a pair of slippers and closed the door behind him.
"There are still some leftovers in the kitchen. You can reheat them and eat if you want," reminded Gu Wanqiu.
"I've had enough, mom. I have to do revision after cleaning up." Lin Sheng could not wait to meditate on the Ashen Seal.
"Go, go." Gu Wanqiu went into the kitchen and came back out with some bright-red strawberries that she had just bought today. "Come out to eat some strawberries if you are tired. It's good for your body."
"Okay." Lin Sheng responded. He quickly went to clean himself up. Earlier, during the time when he did not have any dreams, he took the opportunity to digest thoroughly all the memories that he had previously acquired. Combining with the many armored soldiers and a spell-caster monster that he had killed last night, he got quite a lot of fragmented souls. Today, he was going to meditate on Ashen Seal-Furious Roar, purifying and turning the fragmented souls as his own power. On the other hand, he was in no hurry to recruit more people. His priority now was to accumulate more soul space for more powerful summoned creatures later.
The night went by without any dream. Lin Sheng mediated on Ashen Seal for a while and pondered the strategy of defeating the fire-spitting, dark fat dude. He then took a break before continuing on the Ashen Seal meditation. This routine went on for three days—meditating, resting, meditating, resting—over and over again until he got the hang of Ashen Seal-Furious Roar. It would not be long before he could use the Ashen Seal, he thought.
Finally, on the fourth day, the sequelae of death had vanished entirely. Lin Sheng reentered the dream to begin his second attempt.
He took a deep breath, vapor spurting out of his mouth for over ten centimeters in the vault before slowly diffusing into the gray fog. When he opened his eyes, he found himself resurrected at the spot where he had killed the spell caster earlier. This position was right at the corner, after which it would be leading straight into the prison section where there was a thick blanket of fog. He had no scale armor, wooden shield, broadsword, helmet, and whatsoever gear with him, just the white sports suit that he had put on the night before he went to sleep.
"It's all back to square one…" Lin Sheng did some stretches, but he did not go down the corner. Instead, he jogged back in the direction from where he had come. He did not want to go head-on with the fat dude just yet because he first needed to gear up. He had learned firsthand how seriously disadvantaged he would be without some sort of powerful weaponry. He had to get some sharper sword.
After trotting for a while, he arrived back to the place where he first came in. He did not stop. Instead, he continued to run down the passage at an even faster pace.


This is a story of an ordinary boy gaining unusual powers from his nightmares... It all started when Lin Sheng experienced something strange on what he thought was just another normal day. He begins to have recurring dreams that lead him on an incredible journey of discovery as he encounters spine-chilling monsters and elusive secrets.

A week has passed, and Ziggy was released in the hospital. Doctor Miles who was his personal doctor insisted on keeping him on Richmond Ranch, so he will be well-taken care off.

The Montreal's who had also been investigating the suspicious incident consented. They knew that it would be better for Ziggy to have a company rather than to stay alone on his apartment. They knew well how this son of them didn't like servants running in his little apartment and how he felt uncomfortable staying in their other properties in Hampshire.

"I can't wait to graduate in Rivendell, I'm tired of going to school" Ziggy complained one Saturday morning. He did not attend the classes the previous weekdays due to his hospitalization. Now, his home works have filed up. He studied the list on his desk and chewed his lower lip.

The three best friends were in Xhemin's ranch laboratory doing school homeworks.

"It's our last year in Rivendell, so we should enjoy every moment" Xhem murmured distantly without turning her head, her eyes were on her Macbook.

"No more school and no college for the three of us after this" Huzey added as he took a sip of his scalding tea, his other hand was holding a book.
 
"The three of us decided not to. Anyways, Rivendell's diploma is equivalent to a college diploma" Ziggy continued to chatter. He was in no mood to start his paper works.

"We can make better things if we are not constrained in school" Huzey said firmly. 

"True, but Ziggy needs the approval of the Medicine Board so he can have a license" Xhemin reminded the dou. 

She knew how ecstatic his two befriends about the idea of being free from school, but she was doubting the idea the last few weeks that her strawberries have not grown. She felt that she was not capable enough to stop going to school, she needed to learn more perhaps.

"That's going to be a long process, I still need to complete my training with your grandad. If I'm good enough then that's the time I'll ask the country's medicine board to allow me to take the medicine exam" Ziggy said casually and shrugged.

"So Huzey are you sure you want to start your project before graduation?" Xhemin turned to Huzey when she was reminded about his plans of submerging his recent life-size sculpture collections under the sea of Hampshire. He meant it to become an underwater museum and at the same time a fish sanctuary.

"You have already started yours, so I better start mine"

"But mine is a complete failure. Maybe the professors are right; my self-project is a little too ambitious"

"Too ambitious or not, you were still able to grow healthy vines, that's already an accomplishment" He pointed out.

"But a vine without a fruit is not useful at all" She replied with dismay. Until now she couldn't figure out what's wrong with her plants.

"How are you planning to make the fish sanctuary? I mean it's impossible to scuba dive and build it underwater" Ziggy asked in curiosity. 

"My plan is for my collections to be lowered via crane into the shallow waters of the loch" Huzey explained.

"Incredible" Ziggy mumbled, bemused. "I really did think you are going to make the sculpture underwater"

"It's not possible to sculpt under water. I have to make it in a dry area then I'm going to push it over under the sea" 

"And it's going to be a home of reefs and fishes" Xhemin was far more astonished by the idea. She always adored how Huzey made his arts functional and beneficial to the environment.

"That would be my first project after Rivendell apart from the local art schools I'm planning to put up" He added.

Ziggy who had been looking at the file up papers in front of him cupped his head, making it look like he had a headache. Truth was he doesn't know how to start his tasks. He was far too lazy today to start the whole thing.

"Ziggy does your head still hurts?" Xhemin asked when she noticed his actions. Due to Ziggy's recent accident, she had been soo attentive on his gestures.

"No, I'm fine"

"Ziggy…." Huzey who had also been looking at Ziggy, called for his attention," I don't think what happened to you is an accident"

"I know" Ziggy agreed evenly. Knowing that the topic was a bit off for Xhemin, he added " I also realized I have pissed off too many people lately"

"Could it be the Lagdameo's?" Xhemin asked hesitantly. For days they had avoided the topic of Ziggy's suspicious incident. Now she took all the courage to ask, but for some reasons, her heart ached a bit.

"Whether they are responsible for it or not… the beast has nothing to do with it" Huzey emphasized knowing how the topic made her feel.

 "I know, but still-

"You don't go hating people because of assumptions" Ziggy abruptly answered cutting her off. Even though he didn't like the Lagdameo heir, he didn't want to make her best friend feel bad for the mess he created. "Also, nobody knew what happened yet"

The room sank in silence after that. The three went on with their individual tasks pretending the conversation never happened.  

A minute after, the laboratory's door opened with a loud bang revealing Ang, the Dugmoch's stable master. One look at him, one could tell he had run all his way to the lab.

"Little Miss! You need to come with me!" He called her in an almost a scream.

"Ang? What happened?" Xhemin bothered by Ang's behavior asked in an instant.

"Your plants! The strawberries! Fruits have sprouted!" Ang exclaimed as if he couldn't believe what he just said.

"Are you serious?"

"See for yourself" Ang replied instantly knowing the news was somewhat unbelievable. 

As soon as she heard Ang's reply, Xhemin hurriedly ran from her laboratory to the field where the strawberries were planted.

She went on one of the beds of berries and hurriedly checked one of the vines and her expectations did not fail her. The strawberry plant she had planted begin forming flower buds within their crowns. Some of the vines also have sprouted fruits although none of them were ready for harvest yet.

Due to her frustration and Ziggy's hospitalization, she had not come to check on her plants for the last previous weeks. From the looks of it, seemed that the fruits have sprouted a week ago already.

"Goodness gracious!" She murmured as she continued to move forward, relentlessly, ever bent, following the end of the Strawberries bed. Her hands checked the vines one by one. Even if she had seen the whole thing in her eyes, she still couldn't believe it. "Ang! I've successfully made it! I have successfully grown strawberries!"

"Congratulations Little Miss!" Ang who was delighted about the little Miss' success was almost teary-eyed.

Xhem continued to roam around the field, suddenly her mood uplifted. She jumped and danced cheerfully in the middle of her strawberry plants.

"Strawberries! Strawberries!" She sang in high spirits innocently, not knowing what trouble her little experiment brings in. 

Sooner, one could wish strawberries had not grown in Hampshire under the hands of the great doctor's secret heir.

Warning: Amazingly, absurdly and deliriously funny chaps ahead. Read and laugh at your own risk.

--------------------------------------

"You are one of my many dreams, and the only dream I wish I should have chased desperately" 

Darryl Lemmuel was an aspiring engineer. There was only one word to describe him—exceptional.

He was the only male heir of the Lagdameo clan and the future of L Empire. Apart from that, he was rumored to be financially independent at the age of eight, tricked the present president of L empire—his father— into agreeing with his terms and left home at the age of sixteen to live on his own. He broke all the socialite’s rule to have a good taste of adventure! 

Xhemin Lae Dugmoch was a struggling botanist.

Enrolled in an A-list school, she knew nothing but books, experiments and strawberries. As the granddaughter of a retired famous doctor, Xhemin was very keen in keeping her profile low as per her granddad's wishes. Nobody in the elite community knew that she existed and that her grandfather’s corporation— Feather HealthCare had an heir.

One witty heir and one crazy strawberry girl; their predicament started when their life got tangled up against each other in a conference.

HE suddenly became her target prey.

And SHE was a little trouble not worthy of his attention.

The trouble he soon learned to want— so desperately and dearly wanted.

-----------------------
After a long hiatus, daily updates resumes today (Feb 24, 2019 EST)

Chapter release: 14 Chapters a week 
Regular Updates will be release at 4AM and 4PM EST. 
Bonus Chapters will be marked as bonus


Note: The author publishes raw chapters daily. Editors are still backtracking the unedited parts.

Cover picture is from www.pinterest.ph

Vil cluelessly searched through the fridge, the cupboards and took out everything he could find to put them on the already overflowing counter.
Vil didn't even need to say anything and it was already clear how much he despaired. Frozen Milk had to cover his mouth not to burst out laughing. It got even worse when Vil put the pot onto the hob the wrong way and furiously smashed the hob hoping it would magically turn on.
Frozen Milk's insides twisted with cackles that even the system felt offended about. But Frozen Milk had to admit this was an endearing sight. Vil put much effort and maybe too much force to please Frozen Milk. Frozen Milk couldn't watch any longer and decided to put Vil out of his demise and help him.
Frozen Milk was quite proud of his cooking skills. Living alone made him experiment a lot with food although most of the time he only ate toast or cup noodles since those 10 000 words didn't write themselves.
Vil was too absorbed in managing the overwhelming power of cooking to notice Frozen Milk standing beside him.
So, Frozen Milk watched eagerly from the best spot, the first row how this theatre unfolded. It got to a point where Frozen Milk slapped the counter to cope with the humorous fails of Vil.
"My Lord…" Vil looked embarrassed and Frozen Milk savoured the one-in-a-lifetime chance to ever experience it.
"What are you trying to cook?"
"I thought about making my Lord something sweet but also savoury."
"So a main dish and a dessert?"
"Indeed, but both combined."
Frozen Milk had a very bad feeling.
"How… does that work?"
"My Lord, waffles with chopped garlic in soy sauce sounds good, doesn't it?"
"Are you trying to poison me?"
"I thought this was what my Lord would like."
Frozen Milk this time slapped Vil on his shoulder voluntarily, Vil moaned. 
"When have you ever seen me eating this crap, huh? Do I look like a fucking weirdo to you? Do my taste buds seem like something you can go and torture? Do they? Should I rip them out for you to see and apologise? How long have we lived together? Shouldn't you by now know what I like to eat?" Frozen Milk ranted and ranted and kicked Vil to his knees to lecture him from above.
Vil did look like he was reflecting but he also looked very happy to be 'punished' like this by Frozen Milk.
Frozen Milk wanted to go further but knew it'd backfire on him because all of this actually turned Vil on. It was a double-edged sword. If Frozen Milk suffered or if Vil suffered, both were fantastic options for Vil.
All of you come and catch my hands, I'm about to throw them! This damn pervert!
Frozen Milk rolled up his sleeved and then ordered Vil to put back all the stuff they didn't need. In satisfaction, Frozen Milk watched how his villain turned into his personal slave. This was a nice feeling.
Then Frozen Milk proceeded to show Vil how to use a hob by pressing the buttons.
"Like this?" Vil put his palm on the hob.
"No, like this," Frozen Milk pressed the button on and off again.
"Like this?" Vil literally pressed the space next to the button.
"No," a vein popped.
"Like this?" Vil touched the oven.
"No," another vein joined its fellow brother.
"Like this?" Vil put a plate on the hob.
"No," a third vein committed suicide.
"Like this?" Vil touched Frozen Milk's chest.
"Fuck! Are you doing this on purpose? You are, aren't you! Don't mess with me and turn the damn hob on!" a million more veins bathed in the blood of their comrades' corpses.
"Then punish me, my Lord!" this was what he was after, after all! Of course, it was! What else!
"No, turn the hob on and cook the fucking food!" Frozen Milk lost all of his patience and the endearing thoughts he held for Vil vanished like a puff of smoke after violently murdered corpses have been burnt.
"Ok but my Lord, you have t-"
"Shut up!"
Obediently, Vil turned the hob on and with great difficulty, Frozen Milk rolled his eyes, put the pot on.
"Good, let's start the actual cooking."
While Frozen Milk chopped the veggies and meat, Vil was responsible for stirring them.
After another few of Frozen Milk's veins have been sacrificed, the main dishes came out pretty nice. Frozen Milk was satisfied.
Next, Vil insisted on making some dessert. Frozen Milk knew how much his villain loved sweets and fruits which oddly did go along with his image. The strawberries were perfectly covered in whipping cream until Frozen Milk had to physically rip the bottles out of Vil's hands and throw it to the other 10 abused ones lying in the bin.
"That's enough, way too much. No matter how much of a sweet tooth you have, that's going to kill you!" Frozen Milk took the dessert and wanted to walk but found himself again in Vil's arms.
"You shouldn't strain yourself so much."
Frozen Milk was touched and grateful that was until Vil placed the four plates of food on Frozen Milk's body as he carried him back to the dining hall.
What was he? A tray? A human tray?
Frozen Milk should've been used to it. Whenever he thought his characters could be sweet, they always topped his expectation with a great 'haha you thought' that was thrown into this face. Reversal stories and the most insane plot twists couldn't even touch the feet of his characters' gifted talent in this.
Vil laid Frozen Milk down and as if heaven didn't already indulge his characters enough, the plates perfectly stayed on top of Frozen Milk without even spilling a single bit.
Frozen Milk long had resisted the urge to call out unfair things. But was he unfazed by this? Hell no. 
He just bitterly cursed in his head as Vil put the food onto the table and then held out a spoon to Frozen Milk.
"There's no way you feed me."
"Please, my Lord, I just wish for yo-"
"Shut up."
Vil put the spoon down and then turned his back to Frozen Milk.
Frozen Milk thought he hurt this villain's feelings but again he was overrun by reversal.
Vil closed in on Frozen Milk's lips and between his mouth he had a piece of vegetable. Who knew his sneaky villain would think of another cliché trope.
"There's no way what's been in your mouth will make it in mine."
Vil pressed Frozen Milk's cheeks together and forced the food into his mouth, then he smirked, "My Lord, you already had me in your mouth."
Then his fingers glided over Frozen Milk's lips.
The anguished screams in Frozen Milk's mind that wished to be released! His villain didn't need to be so explicit. Frozen Milk instantly sat up and took his spoon to mow down his food, so there was none left for Vil to feed him.
Afterwards, Frozen Milk caught Vil's glance at his own plate. Before Vil could destroy Frozen Milk's plan, Frozen Milk grabbed Vil's plate and fed Vil instead.
Vil narrowed his eyes and enjoyed way too obviously this preferred treatment. Frozen Milk huffed after he managed to fill Vil up and he fell back onto the sofa to catch a break. Frozen Milk managed to escape the pitfall to only fall into a second hidden one.
"My Lord, you had your fun. Now, it's my time to indulge myself."
"Wha-"
Vil pinned Frozen Milk down and gave him no chance to move.
"Afterwards, my Lord can wish to punish me as he likes."
With one hand keeping Frozen Milk down, the other went to remove Frozen Milk's clothes. Panic clouded Frozen Milk's eyes.
"My Lord, I haven't been properly able to feast, so please serve as my plate."
The sensation of the whipping cream on his naked skin and the sight of the strawberries on top, made Frozen Milk unable to process anything else as he was lured into a pot of seduction. Then the soft coldness of Vil's hands trailing along his body, had Frozen Milk shiver in pleasure.
Vil's fingertips glided gently over each sensual part of Frozen Milk and Vil's eyes narrowed seeing the slightly parted lips of Frozen Milk breathing heavily as he reacted to each of Vil's touches. A desperate and beastly urge overcame Vil to suck and bite on Frozen Milk's pink and delicious lips, to have his tongue invade and dominate Frozen Milk's.
Frozen Milk felt the heat Vil exuded and his eyes widened as Vil started to tower over Frozen Milk. 
"No..o..." Frozen Milk huffed as Vil's lips lowered and made contact with Frozen Milk's chest.
Dammit... Frozen Milk prayed he could escape the real feast his villain meant because Frozen Milk was the real feast!
Frozen Milk could only give in to punishing Vil afterwards to then run away until he once again was caught at night.
Fuck my life.
"Yes, they literally fuck the life out of you, host."
"..."

Check out my new BL novel: I teleported again and now all demons want me! 
------------ 

To lighten the wrath of his blackened readers, Frozen Milk was forced to transmigrate into his own novel to witness what *** he wrote.

What's this? One plothole, two plotholes... plotholes everywhere!

How do you counter a novel full of plotholes? 
Of course, with constant bullshit, constant crap and constant nonsense!

It shouldn't be working but the result?

Terrifying!

Long live holy creator Frozen Milk!

"Damn! What the hell is this?? Wasn't this supposed to be a comedy rip off? A parody? So, why are all my characters leeching onto me? Do I look like a bamboo stick to climb and eat? To stick in between your cheeks?"

"Hello? System help?"

"System is currently on holida- undergoing maintenance, host."

"%$@#!" 

Frozen Milk was nearing his despair. Bent, straight, bent, straight, bent, STRAIGHT!!!!

Be ready to have your brains fried, your life questioned and above all your integrity disappear!

-----------------------
This is completed!
Disclaimer: some profanities and innuendos 
Has elements of BL

First book in the 'Scum Series'

"Last night was fun!" Alisha greeted us cheerfully Wednesday morning. "It's too bad we can't play tomorrow."

Thursday evening was Zeke's graduation after all. 
"There'll be plenty of games these next few weeks." Noah responded with a smile. "Plus, we can practice any time you want."

"In the afternoon." I added. 
Noah nodded. "Right. In the afternoon."

Alisha raised an eyebrow. "Why in the afternoon? You guys plan sleeping in all summer?"

Noah chuckled. "I wish. Nah, we're going to take a Spanish class over the summer. Zeke is taking online classes too."

Alisha blinked in surprise. "Wow. I didn't know you liked school so much."

"I don't mind it." Noah shrugged. He looked to me. "Right, Jake?"

I nodded. It could be worse. 
Noah grinned up at Alisha. "Do you want to join? It starts Monday."

Alisha hesitated, looking indecisive. In the end, she said, "No thanks. I like hanging out with you guys, but I'm not going to force myself to take summer classes."

Noah laughed. "Didn't think you would. It's not fun hanging out in class anyways. We can just hangout together afterwards. Weren't you and Kaylee talking about lazing around together? Invite me and Jake too!"

"Sure thing!" Alisha grinned, happy once again. 
...somehow...I felt like...extra luggage...

The teacher came in and class started. Since we already took our finals for English, she gave us free time to study for our other finals today. Noah and I had to take Biology and Health. One more difficult than the other. Biology just had a lot of information and memorization. Health was just some multiple choice questions off some reading. Easy. 
The final school bell rung and kids started to spill in the hallways, rushing for their cars, the bus, or however they get home. School is out. 
"Summer vacation!" Noah grinned as we joined the twins near the car. 
"Freedom!!" Dave cheered. "Man, I don't even know what I'm going to do with all this free time now."

"Train." Kyle said. 
Dave shoved him lightly. "I know that. I just mean in our free time."

"Go to a few A's games..?" I offered, remembering Jeremy's offer. 
Dave pointed at me. "Yes! Jake has the right idea!"

Noah grinned, throwing an arm around me. "We'll be sure to send you pictures of us having fun."

Dave lost his smile. "What?! You guys would go without us??"

"Yea, we'll go without you." Noah grinned, ruthless. 

"We can try and do some when you guys are back." Zeke offered, showing up in time to stop a would-be fight between Noah and Dave. 

I nodded in agreement. "Jeremy said whenever is convenient. So if there's a home game and you guys are here, we can tell him."

"Thanks Jake!" Dave pulled me out of Noah's grasp. "I knew I liked you more than Noah since day one."

"That's because he doesn't call you out on your shit." Noah scoffed. 
"Are you guys getting in or not?" Zeke asked, rolling down the windows. 
With his prompting, we all got in. Kyle took the front passenger seat, while Noah sat in the middle seat between me and Dave. Zeke put the car in drive and started to navigate through the school parking lot. 
"Are you feeling sad yet, Zeke?" Dave asked, leaning forward. 
"No." Zeke answered. "It's just another step."

"You're not going to miss this at all?" Dave pestered. "This will be the last time you drive us home together. How are you not sad?"

"Because I've been driving you guys since day one of getting a permit to drive." Zeke cracked a smile. "Plus, I doubt I'll stop anytime soon. It's just the destination that has changed."

"Speaking of destination..." Kyle looked out the window. "Why aren't we going home?"

Zeke kept his eyes on the road. "I thought I would treat my little brothers to some ice cream for our last day of school together."

"YES!!" Noah pumped his fists. 
"Awe, so you are going to miss us." Dave poked Zeke repeatedly. 
"Where are we going?" Kyle asked. 
"Yogurtland." Zeke told him while swatting Dave's fingers away from him. 
"Why not Baskins-Robbins??" Noah asked. "Yogurtland isn't real ice cream."

"It's cheaper. Somewhat healthier. And it's closer." Zeke replied. 
"You can pick all the toppings you want." Dave nudged Noah. "Stop being so picky."

"I'm going to get the biggest cup!" Noah declared. 
Zeke flashed a small smile. "Whatever you guys want. It's a celebration."

Yogurtland was in a small shopping center where Mrs. Atkins usually went for groceries. We all piled out of the car and went into the building. It was packed with students our age and younger, plus some parents here and there. The twins knew the most, talking with them and trading pleasantries. 
Noah didn't pay any mind to those around us. He just got in line and started to explain to me how we have to fill up our own cups with frozen yogurt and then toppings. 
Noah didn't hold back at all, grabbing the biggest cup available and filling it up to a giant tower of sugar. He mixed the flavored yogurt and grabbed a little of every candy available, turning his nose up at the fruit options. "This is a treat, Jake! Don't waste it on the healthy stuff that Mom buys normally. C'mon. When will Zeke let us eat so much junk food again?"

He had a point. I went with chocolate, adding in some chocolate candy on top. Dave did the same, but almost twice as much. Kyle was more organized, picking a little of each. Zeke was boring, picking plain vanilla with strawberries on top. He paid for all five cups and then led us outside to eat. 
Dave and Noah challenged each other on who would finish first, while Kyle was talking to Zeke about the plan for tomorrow's graduation. It was comforting to see them all like this. These boys wouldn't change just because Zeke was going elsewhere. There's no doubt in my mind that they would still act like this next year. 
"Hey, hey, who do you think will be captain next year, Zeke?" Dave asked, interrupting them. 
Kyle snorted. "Me, of course."

"Why you?" Noah asked, making a face. "You would be the worst with all those mood swings you have. I think I could do a better job."

"It's up to Coach." Zeke said. 
"He'll probably pick Garret." Noah said. Dave nodded in agreement. Even Kyle wasn't upset about the choice. 
"Who knows?" Zeke replied. "Garret already has a lot on his shoulders between batting and pitching. It's not about picking the best player as captain. What you need is someone who is mentally tough."

"You're out." Noah laughed at Kyle.

Kyle rolled his eyes. "Whatever. My goal is to be the best pitcher. Not a captain."
"I actually don't think any pitcher should be a captain." Dave said, shrugging. "We're selfish by nature. Plus if we do poorly on the mound, who's going to calm us down?"

"Me!" Noah claimed. "I don't mind telling you guys how bad you're doing."

"Brat!" Dave threw a wadded up napkin at him. 
"Coach will probably decide in the fall after seeing who takes charge." Zeke said. "There are a lot of qualities to look for in a captain. And, every captain is different. It's a matter of what fits the team at the moment." He flashed a smirk. "I was a perfect fit because only I could handle you kids and keep you in line."

"Bully!" Noah pointed at Zeke and laughed. 
"What will we do next year without you, then..?" I asked. 
The boys got quiet. 
Zeke smiled. "You grow up."


After a near death experience thanks to his own mother, Jake Hollander has an adverse reaction to people, baseball, and family. His feeling of abandonment is slowly lost thanks to his foster family, The Atkins. They take him in and change his mind about everything. He becomes more open, better at baseball, and craves for family. Slowly all wishes are granted. 

Instagram: @writerhalf_empty

https://www.patreon.com/half_empty ~~The Last Curve can be found there, a short story about Rhys. Updates every Sunday

Please read on Webnovel!

**Names, faces, and places aren’t real. A work of fiction. Nonetheless, it is my work of fiction so please don’t post it without permission. *I have used school names that do exist though, but I would like everyone to know that I have no affiliation with them. Nor do my views reflect their views. 

**Also, I bought the royalty-free license for my cover. Which means I can use it without having to pay royalties. If you have any questions, comment on my latest chapter or reach me on discord.

"'Appreciate your input,' she says.  Right," Lizzie seethed under her breath, practically kicking open the door from the stairwell.  An errant soldier who'd been loitering in the hallway scurried away after one look at the expression on her face.  Lizzie just scowled after him.
She couldn't stop replaying last night's conversation with her mother in her head.
"Mom, please, listen to me," she'd pleaded.  "You have to see reason.  We are outmatched.  You've convinced all these people that we have a chance at winning, but really all you're doing is putting them in harm's way - them and everyone else living in Paragon.  I know things aren't perfect there -"
"You know that better than anyone, I would think," Regina had retorted, but more gently than Lizzie would have expected of her.
"- but I've spoken to the people who are in charge.  They know they've made mistakes.  They want to call a truce and work with us to fix it."
Regina just shook her head.  "I don't want to call you naïve, honey, you've been through too much for that.  But your trust, in this instance, is misplaced.  A man doesn't seize power just to give it up.  That's not how the world works.  If our people have any hope of ever living free, we must fight for it."
Lizzie had fixed her in a dogged stare.  "And at what cost?"
Regina's gaze was just as hard.  "Whatever it takes."
She wasn't going to budge.
Lizzie had stormed out, wishing she could slam the sliding door behind her, and spent the rest of the night and following morning fuming.
Regina still thought Lizzie was a child, and it was infuriating.
Lizzie had considered calling a meeting and coming clean to the rebels about the vaccine, leaving out the part about the algorithm and their immunity's inability to pass to the next generation, of course.  It would have been worth it just to see the look on her mother's face when everyone packed their bags and peaced out.
But she couldn't do it - she couldn't let everything they'd all sacrificed be in vain.
She needed to get the girl to the Engineers so that they could figure out how to inoculate the babies and finally bring their vision to fruition, securing the future of the planet.
So that's what she was going to do.  She was done wasting time on Regina and her play army.  She had a plan.
Striding with purpose into the gleaming stainless steel kitchen, Lizzie took a deep breath and tried to act casual.  She scanned the room for her quarry - she knew she was here from the assignment logs - as she nonchalantly headed to one of the supply racks and started to load her bag with rations for the journey back to Paragon.
"Lizzie!  I didn't know you had a shift today."
Bingo.  Josephine had rounded the corner from the sinks, all boundless energy and innocence, as usual.
A pang of guilt clutched at Lizzie's heart, but she pushed it away.  She knew what she had to do.
Lizzie flashed her dazzling smile down at the little girl.  "Just grabbing a snack."
"Oh!"  Josephine straightened up, putting on her best grown-up voice.  "Let me assist you."  She took Lizzie's hand and dragged her around to a different shelf.  "We've got potato chips, animal crackers, trail mix…  Hmm, or there are fresh strawberries if you want something healthy?  I had some at dinner last night, they were pretty yummy.  For fruit."
Lizzie held in a laugh and tried to match Josephine's level of seriousness.  "Strawberries would be perfect."
"Okay!" Josephine squeaked.  "I'll go get them."
She sprinted away and Lizzie took the opportunity to adjust the concealed firearm tucked in the back of her waistband that had been wriggling its way loose.  Just as she finished she heard footsteps approaching, and fixed her face back into a welcoming smiling.
But it was Janie who rounded the corner of the storage racks, not Jo.
"Oh, hi, Janie.  What's up?"  Lizzie tossed the brimming bag behind her shoulder, hoping Janie wouldn't notice.
Janie smiled, a little coolly Lizzie thought.  "Hey, Lizzie.  Just about to start the prep for lunch."  She held up a couple large, stuffed garbage bags.  "Was going to take the trash out first."
"Oh, I can grab those for you," Lizzie offered.  This would actually serve as an excellent excuse if anyone caught her going outside.
"Are you sure?" Janie asked.
"Yeah, I was headed that way anyway."
Janie shrugged.  "Okay then.  Thanks for your help."
"No problem at all," Lizzie crooned, and Janie dropped the bags, heading back into the depths of the kitchen.
Lizzie grabbed the two heavy sacks and towed them behind her towards the walk-in fridge.  She found Josephine inside perched on her tippy-toes on one of the lower shelves, stretching for the basket of berries high above her.
"Oh!  You should have called!   I can grab them for you."  Lizzie stepped into the fridge and reached up, snatching a handful of strawberries off the top shelf.  She extended one to Josephine as she jumped down to the floor.  "Why don't you join me for a little picnic?  You're working so hard here, you deserve a break."
Josephine hesitated. "It's almost lunch… I should really go help Janie."
Lizzie motioned at the giant trashbags outside the door.  "Janie was just about to take those out.  How about if we bring them for her, and just have a little snack while we're up there?  It's a beautiful day I hear.  A little sunshine will do us good."
She held the berry out to Josephine again.  "What do you say?"


Her heart races, her muscles coil, and every impulse in Alessa's body screams at her to run... but yet she's powerless to move.

Still struggling to find her footing after the sudden death of her parents, the last thing college freshman Alessa has the strength to deal with is the inexplicable visceral pull drawing her to a handsome ghostly presence. In between grappling with exams and sorority soirees - and disturbing recurring dreams of being captive in a futuristic prison hell - Alessa is determined to unravel the mystery of the apparition who leaves her breathless. But the terrifying secret she uncovers will find her groping desperately through her nightmares for answers.

Because what Alessa hasn't figured out yet is that she's not really a student, the object of her obsession is no ghost, and her sneaking suspicions that something sinister is lurking behind the walls of her university's idyllic campus are only just scratching the surface...

The Stitch Trilogy (including all three volumes: Stitch, Shudder, & Stuck) is a twist-laden young adult/new adult adventure spanning the genres of paranormal romance and dystopian sci-fi to explore the challenges of a society in transition, where morality, vision, and pragmatism collide leaving the average citizen to suffer the results.

The Stitch Trilogy is created by Samantha Durante, an eGlobal Creative Publishing Signed Author.

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