Elias Wood didn’t have time to brace. He was halfway up the stairs when the ship tore sideways. Metal screamed against stone. His leg caught the edge of a step—low, fast. More bruised ego than blood. He hauled himself upright, breath sharp. The Solstice had folded into ice and rock both, a sideways carcass grinding deeper with every wave. “Fuck,” he muttered, scanning for damage. For names he’d have to cross off. Crew. De...

First period was a blur. Ragden felt sharp and alert. His body felt refreshed and energetic. His skin pulsed with energy, bordering on nervous ticks. He just felt good. As if everything was right in the world, he took his notes and participated in the class discussion. The teacher seemed pleased with his responses. When the bell rang, Ragden gathered his stuff and headed for his next class. He moved through the halls, lig...

Ivy Murrow watched the world through her iPhone lens, the same way she’d learned to watch everything over the past few years—arm’s length, slightly filtered, always recording. The Solstice VI dipped lazily in the ocean slush while the crew moved with a speed that didn’t match the water or the mood. She stood apart, boots planted awkwardly on the wet deck, one hand steadying herself, the other raised like a confession. “So...

Monday morning arrived at 5:30 as the insipid Autumn light ghosted its bleary fingers through the windows and insinuated itself into the bedroom where Debbie lay sound asleep beside me. A peaceful visage indicated her content as she slept easily, her left arm settled outside the covers and her right arm unseen as it lay beside her naked body, softly resting against my hip. Not wishing to disturb her, I eased myself out of...

The speedboat skimmed across the Andaman Sea, the hull slicing through pale turquoise water with a deep, satisfying hum. Phi Phi lay ahead, its jagged limestone cliffs and cascading greenery rising like a dream just beginning to stir. The morning sun shimmered low, softening everything into a tropical haze. Savannah stretched her legs out across the padded bench seat, letting her head fall back with a sigh. “Twelve hours...

I quickly finished the presentation for Peter and emailed it to him, and I slid past Lynn as she exited the bathroom while I was just going in. She kissed me, her nose shining from the shower. "Do you need this towel?" she asked. "I have servants, my dear. Do you see that pair of doors in the wall over there beside the bedroom door?" I said, pointing at the airing cupboard in the hall. "That's full of clean and aired towe...

Selina awoke with a start. An alarm was blaring across the room. She reached over and flipped the tiny knob on her nightstand lamp. The light clicked, casting its dim glow across her bed. Selina jumped up and ran across the room to turn off the alarm. The red numbers seemed to glare at her with malevolent glee. She frowned at it and walked back towards her bed. Even with the curtains drawn on the window over her bed, Seli...

Ten weeks after Sielina's and my erotic lovemaking at The Ritz hotel, I told her about her fiancé. I still felt the slap, too. We did not speak much after that day. Yes, I will not lie; I do miss Sielina like crazy, and in three days, planning to marry her. What hurts me most is that I never got the chance to tell her how I felt about her; always, something came up or an obstacle was put in front of us. I stood outside on...

Six weeks after discovering Sielina, I said yes to Shannon's proposal. I haven't seen or spoken to either of them since learning about their relationship during a heated moment. I buried myself in my work to try and forget. For the life of me, I could not get her out of my head; a small part of me missed Sielina so much. Overthinking everything that happened, I realised something: I had truly fallen for Sielina. I promise...

Chapter 11: New Year’s Resolution Tabi and I continue to hang out. Luckily, she doesn’t bring up my philosophy again. Thursday we go to Jacob’s as normal. Again, as normal, Tabitha picks out a fairly good looking woman and tells me I should go hit on her. I look at the woman as Tabi is trying to hold back a giggle. “Geez oh criminy. Would you knock it off," I say as I get up from the table and voluntarily entertain her. I...

Chapter 9: Mission Failed After sharing our painful pasts, Tabitha seems to go on a mission. A mission of trying to find me my soulmate. Half the time, I feel she is poking fun at me because of the way she says soulmate in a sarcastic, unbelieving tone followed by a chuckle. She continually points out every pretty girl and tries to get me to talk with her. She even brings me pretty girls to meet. Some of these are her own...