Project Fright is a collection of stories of horrific topics including zombies, cryptids, and psychological thrillers. Are these horror stories? No, definitely not (I’m not good enough to write those); these are scary sci-fi topics and/or ideas.

Ivy still ended up missing her bus. With a dramatic sigh, she sat on a bench and was about to whip out her phone to contact her mom when someone snuck up in front of her. There was only one person who could do that. 
"I saw what you did for that girl," Adrian said. "That was really cool of you."
She flushed at the unexpected praise. She didn't think anyone had seen that. "Maybe so, but it also made me miss my bus. My mom is going to kill me."
He held out his hand to her. "I can take you home and save her the trouble."
Ivy bit her lip. There really wasn't a reason to turn down his offer. Hadn't she been thinking about setting up a time to meet with him earlier? But it would be awkward being stuck in a car with someone she couldn't hear. 
Screw it. This was probably her best chance to see him with minimal interference. 
"Sure! Thanks, Adrian."
"No problem. Just paying your good deed forward," he replied with a wink. 
The school was largely empty by now so there was no need for the headphones. Ivy stowed them away in her backpack but it was too late; he had already seen them. 
Adrian didn't seem to think they were out of the ordinary though. Sure, they were huge, but it could be seen as an aesthetic preference. He probably thought she was listening to music like a normal teenager. 
She was self-conscious about her headphones. The only person outside of her family who knew she had 'sound sensitivity issues' was Carson and he had discovered that by accident. No way would she purposely let someone know how weird she was. 
 "So what Halloween plans do you have? If you don't mind my asking," he said. 
"I'm watching horror movies with some friends." Technically, a watch party was still happening in her house even if she had no intention of being a part of it. She wasn't completely lying. 
It was the same thing she had done every year since she had become too old to go trick-or-treating. Ethan was the popular one while she preferred doing her own thing. Lydia had invited her to many Halloween parties over the years and she had never been to a single one. 
Adrian believed her. "Sounds fun. I wouldn't have pegged you as the type to like horror though."
Her favorite thing to read was murder mysteries; of course horror wouldn't faze her. She didn't particularly like the gore or jump scares but didn't freak out the way some people did. Psychological thrillers were some of the only movies she actually liked. Monster movies…not as much. 
"Murder mysteries are my favorite kind of book," Ivy explained. "Horror is nothing."
"I like horror too. Maybe we could go see a scary movie together sometime," Adrian offered. "I think there's one coming out next month."
She had only gone to the movies with her family or Lydia before. It would be weird going with a guy. Would he be bringing other friends or would it be more like a date? She had never been on a date in her life!
"That sounds fun," she said even though she didn't mean it. 
Movie theaters were overwhelming. She could always sneakily wear earplugs though since this might be her best chance at getting one-on-one time with this enigma. She would need to come up with some sort of strategy to figure out why she couldn't hear him before then. 
But what would even work? It wasn't like she could run tests on him unless she tried thought projection…but that would only work if it was something super obvious like suggesting he jump up and down. 
There was nothing particularly special about him as far as she could tell. He looked like any other skater. 
"Hey, you left the dance early because of your friend, right?" Adrian asked suddenly. "We wondered where you went for a while because Lydia couldn't hear your text."
Ivy's cheeks burned. That was the bogus excuse Carson came up with because she felt guilty about bailing. "…yeah. He wasn't feeling well."
"That's lame. You said he's in half your classes, right? Do you two hang out a lot?"
Why was he asking her this? Was this normal conversation? She didn't talk to people her age enough to be able to tell. When she did, it usually pertained directly to a school assignment. She really needed more practice acting like a normal human being. 
"I wouldn't say a lot…" she hedged. 
Until recently, they hadn't hung out at all. She asked him entirely at random because he was the first person she could think of but that would sound bad. 
"…we've had at least two classes together every year since sixth grade. We had a group project together once too."
Adrian raised an eyebrow. "That's an awful lot of shared classes. What are the odds of that?"
Ivy shrugged. "The odds are pretty high when you're on the honors/AP track. Most of the people in my classes are in more than one."
"So you're a smarty pants, huh? Guess I should've known since you speak so many languages. I'm not like that but I do get by okay. I've never gotten less than a C in anything other than woodshop but that's because I nearly sawed my hand off by accident and refused to go near the machines after that."
She couldn't stop a giggle from escaping. That had probably been fairly traumatic but he retold the story so casually. "I can see how that would be a problem."
"I didn't fail completely. For a while I would trade jobs with people. If they used the saws for me, I would sand their projects for them. I did that for a solid three months before the teacher caught on and busted me for it," Adrian said ruefully. "So I didn't manage to finish the rest of my projects and my grade paid for it."
"What elective do you take now?" Ivy asked curiously. She had always chosen languages for hers so she wasn't even aware they had a woodshop class at this school before today. 
"Ceramics. It's an easy A since things don't have to be pretty. As long as you physically do the projects and they don't explode in the kiln you're golden."
She wished she could get away with an easy art credit like that. Unfortunately, she needed to look more involved so she had decided on choir. She already signed up for multiple language clubs but they only met once a month so she hadn't been to any meetings yet.

Ivy Chamberlain is a simple high school student who just so happens to be a telepath. Knowing everyone's thoughts is pretty boring...so what would happen if she meets a boy she can't read at all?

*Cover art by polkadottedscrunchie*

When she heard a knock at the door, Roxanne quickly applied another coat of lipstick and smacked her lips. Even though she grew up on construction sites, Roxanne had a girlie side. That night, she was excited to see Tom and wanted to look sexy.
After their heart-to-heart at the bar, they found a table and talked about their favorite movies. It was one of the first times they were able to leave the heavy conversations about loan sharks, stolen permits, or babies to rest. Instead, they found common ground with their enthusiasm for psychological thrillers.
Tom told Roxanne he’d pick her up the next day to take her to a special place he wanted to show her. Because she made him promise it wasn’t a fancy restaurant or doctor’s office, she was eager to see what he had in store.
At the door, Tom kissed her cheek and told her she looked cute. Then he handed her a blindfold and told her she’d have to put it on once they got closer. A few weeks ago, she would have balked. Now, she trusted Tom enough to participate in his game. He drove through the city to a place on the city’s edge where he told her to put the blindfold on. 
He drove a little further then parked. Helping her out of the car, he grabbed her hand and led her to a sidewalk. Once he positioned her, he took off the blindfold.
In front of her stood a small block of stores with apartments above. The building was made of a classic red brick and white trip that looked clean and modern with a hometown feel. The awnings, in a burnished copper color, reminded her of traditional urban store fronts, and quaint flower boxes with vibrant blossoms lined the apartment windows. She looked confused staring at the scene that almost looked like a movie set.
“What’s this?” she said.
“This was my first solo project.”
“Oh,” Roxanne smiled, understanding why Tom brought her there.
“You didn’t seem to know what to tell your dad the other day, you know, about my projects. Those buildings downtown, that’s my parents. This is me.” He reached out his arms to indicate the buildings.
“I love it,” Roxanne said. “Not what I thought your style would be, but definitely neat.”
“It looks traditional, which is how I wanted it, but there’s a modern edge with solid up-to-date materials. Contemporary and classic at the same time.”
Roxanne was impressed with Tom’s description, and also impressed with his knowledge. He gave her a tour around the building, pointing out ideas he came up with, both of them talking shop about construction and materials. Tom’s eyes sparkled when he talked about the mechanical features of the building, and being a building site manager, it made Roxanne swoon.
“Want a coffee?” Tom asked, pointing to one of the store fronts that housed a coffee shop.
“Only if you let me pay,” said Roxanne. Tom acquiesced and held the door open for Roxanne to enter. She pulled out her credit card from her purse to pay for their cappuccinos, and then they sat down at a little table outside.
Her phone dinged.
“What was that?” Tom asked.
“Oh I just get purchase alerts for every credit card transaction I make. It’s just so I can keep track,” she said. She took a sip from her cup. “I didn’t think one of your projects would be so modest, I mean, I just thought you did big buildings,” Roxanne said.
Tom nodded. “Yeah, that’s my folks,” he said. “I wanted to create a community.”
“It’s definitely cool.” Roxanne looked across the table at Tom. He appeared more relaxed in that environment, certainly not as rigid and stiff as he was at the bar. The sun started to set in the horizon, casting a glow on their faces.
“Hey, Tom,” said a kid about 12 who was walking by, “How ya’ all doin’?” he asked giving Tom a slap and then backward slap on the hand as a kind of greeting. 
“I’m good,” Tom smiled. “How you been, Dave?”
“Good, just got an A in math.” Tom smiled and nodded. 
“Who’s the girl?” Dave asked, making googly eyes at Tom.
“Sorry, yes, this is Roxanne.” 
Roxanne reached out her hand to shake, but Dave slapped it and backward slapped it like he had done with Tom. “Nice to meet you,” said Roxanne.
“She’s quite the lady,” Dave nodded. “I better get going, gotta get something for my mother. I’ll tell her you said hi.”
“Please do,” Tom responded. “Anything you need?”
“Nah, that’s okay. We good. Nice to see you,” Dave said and continued his walk.
“Nice kid,” said Roxanne, nodding her approval.
“I made sure the apartments were affordable. Dave’s mom didn’t have the best credit, but I got to know her. Gave her a chance. She works hard,” Tom said.
Roxanne looked at Tom in a new way. She never thought he acted snobby, but seeing a generous, easy-going side of him aroused her. 
“I can see you’re really great with kids,” Roxanne continued to lay on the compliments.
Tom shrugged. “About that,” a clouded look shadowed his face. “I don’t want to put any pressure on you, about the pregnancy.” He wouldn’t meet her eyes. “I promise to sort out that permit issue. I will, you don’t have to…”
Roxanne wasn’t sure how to respond. She thought about revealing to Tom that she had already submitted the permit with a forged signature, but she didn’t want to sour how well things were going between them. Who knew that actually falling for each other would be the thing that put baby making on hold?
“It’s okay,” she said. She fumbled with her purse that was hanging across her shoulder, feeling unsure how to answer Tom. She didn’t know if he meant he didn’t want to sleep with her or if he meant he didn’t want to inseminate her.
“I just think it’s better if we wait. Now I see I shouldn’t have rushed anything,” Tom said.
“But what about Ruby’s land?” Roxanne’s phone buzzed in her purse, and she took it out to look at the call. She saw it was from her father and left it go to voicemail, leaving the phone sitting on the table between them.
“I know Ruby’s father left a secret provision that the land be sold to a family man. I can either convince Ruby that will be me some day in the future or I’ll just have to give it up.”
“Tom, no,” Roxanne looked concerned. “I see what you’ve done here. I know you can develop something great. I’ll help you however you want with Ruby. We can convince her.” She grabbed his hand and nodded confidently. He smirked nervously in return.
By the time they were nearly finished with their cappuccinos, the sun had dipped below the horizon. The stores were closed, and with no one else around, Tom and Roxanne sat in the darkening evening, enjoying each other’s company.
What occurred next, happened in quick succession, so fast, Roxanne and Tom didn’t have a chance to react. A grey van drove up to a parking space near the sidewalk. Two men in ski masks jumped out of the back of the van. Each man grabbed Roxanne under one armpit and carried her into the van. She tried to pull away and kick, but to no avail. They were too fast for Tom to react. Once Tom realized what was happening, Roxanne was halfway to the van.
He tried to chase the van and read the license plate, but they had covered it with something. He turned back toward the table they’d been sitting at, stunned. Some men had kidnapped Roxanne, and he needed to get her back. He couldn’t fathom that one minute she’d been sitting there and the next, it seemed like she vanished. 
The only trace of her was her phone which sat on the table. She couldn’t even call for help. 

Roxanne is a tough, no-nonsense construction site manager who is down on her luck. Eager to save her dad from a dangerous loan shark, she agrees to a deal with a wealthy, refined real estate investor, Tom.  In exchange for helping Roxanne keep her job and construction on track, she agrees to have a baby with Tom, who is eyeing a piece of property to develop that can only be sold to a family-friendly investor. While Roxanne does not consider herself maternal, her construction knowledge and rough-around-the-edges attitude charms Tom. Together, this improbable pair navigate some unexpected twists and have a baby, all while developing an unlikely romance.

“Still on her knees, she pulled off Tom’s shirt. His lanky body, taut and firm, excited her. He unhooked her bra and brought her shirt over her head. They continued to kiss as Tom pushed Roxanne back on the bed. He kissed her left breast, then her right, his soft lips arousing her. His movements were both gentle and fluid, unlike the stiff, robotic movements she was used to seeing from Tom.
She hugged his back and pressed his body into hers, wanting to feel his curves and muscles. She gazed in his eyes and kissed him once softly, then again ardently, her yearning for him growing.
‘I thought I might never see you again,’ he whispered in her ear. ‘And I realized, I couldn’t live without you.’ He kissed her hard, his face and body entwining with hers. She returned his passion, her hips pressing up into his manliness.”

Building Baby is created by M.L. Robish, an EGlobal Creative Publishing signed author. 

It's late now. I couldn't even feel the passing hours. Well that's how it is, you don't feel like you spent hours when you're enjoying something. But that damn Physics class feels like an hour passed by with every ten minutes. The guys are helping David and Duke collect the bottles, wrappers and stuff. Felix just looks like he fell asleep again, he's not fooling anyone.

"Felix, I literally saw you talking to Ezra while walking back here. We all know you're awake."

"Felix, come on get up. We're done with cleaning up anyway." Duke joined David in exposing Felix.

Felix got up instantly. "Duke, carry me. I'm so tired ", he said whining.

"We're not twelve anymore. And you stuffed yourself with half your weight. I can't carry you."

"But you're so tall and you have a nice build now. Also... did you just call me fat?" Felix asked with exaggerated disbelief on his face. He knows just what to say, I thought chuckling to myself.

Felix still got his piggyback ride. Like I said before, it's hard to say 'no' to Felix.

"Didn't even say a 'please' or a 'thank you'. Doesn't even take me seriously. Always takes me for granted." David grumbled mumbling complaints, all the while Felix slumped on him like a dead body.

"Happy ? Now get off before I throw you towards the other side of the railing. You're really heavy. Don't slump on me you ass!" Duke looked like he would pass out.

"You need more workout then!" Felix teased while getting off of his back.
Duke looked pissed off and maybe a little hurt, but he didn't show it, he's not fooling Felix either.

"Thanks Duke, I've always liked your piggyback rides since we were kids. I'll make you your favourite breakfast tomorrow." Felix smiled a genuine grateful smile, reading the room. That got him a smile in return.

"I'm inviting myself too. See you at Felix's tomorrow." David spoke up with excitement. I've heard Felix is a good cook.

"You guys are forgetting someone who also lives close by." Ezra invited himself too.

"I'll be waking up at noon tomorrow. Or I'd have joined you." Marvin tried stifling his yawn. Lance full on yawned. "Yeah, me neither."

"I didn't even invite you guys. You all shamelessly invited yourselves. And you two have the audacity to decline your self invitations." Felix scoffed and  pointed at Marvin and Lance.

"Whatever. Fine! All of you can join. I wanna show off my skills. You better have some high praises ready."
Liam, Kairn ugh Kai and I politely declined. I gotta get used to 'Kai' now.

_______________________

When I got home, my parents were watching some movie since it's Saturday night. We usually watch movies on weekend nights together. I greeted them and walked towards my room.

"Show me the pictures tomorrow. I wanna see your friends", Mom told me still concentrating on the movie.

"Good night son." Dad just waved, too engrossed to look at me. Well, all of us love watching movies. We don't watch the fun family movies, no. We love watching mystery and psychological thrillers.

"I'm telling you. This guy is not the killer. I find that newbie officer really suspicious, why would he just hand the evidence over to him, when he knows his superior killed a man and is covering it up." My mom stated her theory. I love doing that too. Dad usually just focuses on the movie.

"Nah he just looks like he doesn't wanna get involved in a case with his superiors. He's really close with him. Maybe-"
I shut the door. After freshening up, I plopped down on my bed. Still really excited and smiling as the remnants of tonight's energy still lingered on me, I turned some music on, deciding on some soft pop and alternative in contrast to alternative rock I listen to most of the time.

("Ooh ooh I'm a rebel just for kicks, now. I've been feeling it since 1966, now. Might be over now, but I feel it still.")

I tapped on the gallery icon and started to look at the pictures. I look genuinely happy in all of them. The group picture, the pictures with Kairn... uh Kai, one with our boba drinks with Felix and another one with Ryan and Liam while the others were playing air hockey in the background. The others started sending the pictures in our group chat. I sent the ones I had as well.

Felix - Look at Marvin and Lance, playing air hockey like they'll kill each other with it 😂😂

Felix was the first to message, tagging a picture Liam sent.

Liam- Air hockey: death edition💀

Liam made a meme with that picture, putting fires in their eyes and fire in the background with 'Air hockey: death edition' written in that 90s scary movie font. Damn, he's fast and good.

Felix- Lol this has to be one of the best memes

David- 😂😂😂
                               Damn you're fast 👏 - Me
Duke- Lmao that's so good

Marvin- Aww Lance u look so focusef and cool🤩
Marvin- *focused

Ryan- wtf he looks like he'll kill u

I guess Lance was asleep already or his reply would remind him of his pending punches.

Ezra- Look at Duke carrying Felix. He looks like he'll just collapse
*a picture of Duke carrying Felix on his back*

Ryan- So cute though 🥰

Duke-  Shaddup Ryan. I'm never carrying you again @ Felix.

Felix - Not even if I cook for you?

Duke- I'll think about it...

David- I'll carry you anytime 😋

It made me think how much Felix really understands his friends. He's still trying to make up for hurting Duke's feelings. We all got it, he didn't mean it. But seeing him trying to convey his apology like this, it's really heartwarming. He couldn't apologise in front of others, but I'm pretty sure he will in private.

 I wish I could understand people like this. I wish I could be a friend who'll say and do something that my friend needs. Maybe I wouldn't have lost friends at my old place then. It also scared me of losing the friends I made here. They feel so genuine, like Books. I'll wanna ask Books. He always knew what to say. This hurt me again. I'll have to ask Books to help me, again. He's always there for me, but can he say the same for me ?

I decided I'll call Books tomorrow.

("Oh my God, I can't remember. Who I was just last December. What have I done? How did I get here? What have I done? ")

I noticed Kai was online now. I even changed his name to Kai on my phone now. I sent our pictures to him.

               Hey. You gonna sleep now ? - Me

Kai-In a while. Thanks for pics. They're nice.
                  Yeah the one with the gun is the                   best-Me

Kai- True. Also thanks for the key ring.

I told you it was for the puppy toy you won for me. Your sis liked the lion? -Me

Kai- I'll give it to her tomorrow.
 Kai- if she won't then I'll keep it

                                                     She will- Me
           I'll tell you something punny - Me

Kai- I'm the unfunniest guy in the whole group and pun jokes are the worst 😑

                                               I'll still try - Me
Kai- Go on

   What did the ocean say to the other   ocean? - Me

Kai - ... what?   

       Nothing. They just waved. -  Me
                                     😂😂😂😂- Me
Kai- oh

  Oh? Did you not sea what I did there? -Me

Kai- I did 😐

                  Don't be such a beach 😑 - Me

Kai- ...

                     How is that not funny? - Me
You really are the unfunniest guy in the.   group- Me

Kai- yeah I still have 😐 this face on

                                    Whatever- Me
     I'm funny enough for the both of us-Me
           You don't need to be funny- Me
       You need more memes in your life-Me

Kai- You like memes that much?

                             Yess memez 4 lyf ⚡- Me

Kai- Please stop

                            Tell me I'm funny- Me

Kai- Yes Marc you're funny 😪🥱

     Tell me something I don't know- Me
                                               *hair flip gif*
I just ignored that emoji.

Kai- I would tell you some fact, but that's really old and lame

                                     You're a dork- Me

Kai- You're missing some words
                               In a good way 😑- Me

Kai- 😊
Kai- And you're weird... in a good way

  Well Good night Kai, see you on Mon-Me


Kai- Good night Marc

I set my phone down smiling. I'd missed the group chat while talking to Kai. Talking to Kai really helped lighten up my mood. I feel I've found the friends I've always wanted. Books will forever be the one, but I didn't have friends like these. Especially not in high school. Most of them drifted apart after middle school. I just couldn't change with them. I was lonely, if I'm being honest. I was lonely. So I pretended keeping up with friendships is too much of a hassle anyway or that I'm too different to fit in with them. I blamed it on them. I blamed it on me. I'm a compulsive talker, an over thinker, awkward, too attached and scared of letting go... a weirdo. I look too deep into things I shouldn't and miss the surface in return. It hurt me so much when they formed their clique and left me behind. I couldn't change. I couldn't fit in. Can I fit in now?

But remembering the past month; The flashes of Duke and David laughing with me. Ezra taking to me. Felix narrating the movie he watched the day before. Marvin and Lance bickering. Liam and Ryan just being their laid back selves with me. And Kai smiling genuinely at me. I fit in right?  



Songs used :
- Feel it still by Portugal. The man
- Oh my God by Alec Benjamin

-Out of the store-
_Excited_
Y/N:" Haha! I got such a great deal!"
Jungkook:" Isn't that ripping them off."
Y/N:" I made a reasonable bargain. They take pictures of you both and I get to save money."
Jin:" Y/N when did you start bargaining with people."
Y/N:" I learned it from my parents. They told me that if it's not for a reasonable price, do what I just did and get a better price off it. Now here, you both can carry your clothes that I got."
Jungkook:" I will pay you back."
Y/N:" You don't need to do that. If you wear the clothes that I got you I will be happy."
Jungkook:" Y/N."
Y/N:" Let's go to another store!"
_Noon_
Y/N:"Lisa! How is shopping for you."
Lisa:" How many bags do you have!"
Y/N:" I saved a good $890 today thanks to my best models."
LISA:" Taehyung and Jimin just paid for it."
Y/N:" I bought all the clothes for them. We're here to just drop it off."
Lisa:" We saw a movie theater over there. We booked tickets and we got seats later at 11 tonight."
Y/N:" What kind of movie is it?!"
Lisa:" It's a thriller. Jimin and Taehyung chose it and it looks good too."
Worries
Y/N:" Is it a scary movie."
Lisa:" From the cover yes, but the description of the movie isn't that scary. We will get jump scares from what I heard. "
Trying to keep a poker face and smiles
Y/N:" That sounds great."
Jin:" Who sits next to who?"
Jimin:" The seats are like a couches. They provide pillows and blankets, so it feels like we're at home. But like Jin said. We're just going to sit with our room partners."
Taehyung:" I remember, Jin used to be scared of movies like this. Hope he doesn't squeal like a little girl like last time."
Jin:" Hey!! I was only 12. I've man up a lot from then."
Taehyung:" Sure you girl."
Lisa:" Why don't we eat. I'm hungry right now and can go for a good meal."
Jimin:" Meat!"
Jungkook:" Y/N, are you alright."
Y/N:" I'm good. I'm probably just hungry right now. "
/Time skip/
〰️ Movie time〰️
Taehyung:" Jin we sit in the far back."
Jin:" Why there."
Taehyung:"It's because all the other couches in front got taken."
Lisa:" Y/N we sit in the middle. That's where we get a good view of the whole movie."
Jimin:" We sit two roles in front of them."
Jungkook:" Thrillers are one of the best movies."
Nervous
Y/N:" Let's go in..."

Lisa:" Alright! "
_While sitting down_
Lisa:" There's going to be a lot of good parts."
Y/N:" Yeah ..."
Lisa:" You can't be nervous. You and I have been watching thrillers for several years. You haven't been like this before."
Y/N:" That's because we are at a different theater. I feel uncomfortable."
Lisa:" We got into here for cheap. There are many good reviews on this movie and you should be fine in this threader."
Y/N:" Ok."
First jump scare
Lisa:" I called it."
Y/N :"...."
Lisa:" Your like this everytime we watch a movie. I'm going to switch seats with Jungkook. I want to talk to Jimin while watching."
Nodding head(Y/N)
Lisa:" Thank you."
Jungkook POV
__Jungkook sitting next to Y/N__
Jungkook:" Sorry to disturb you."
Y/N:" It's ok."
Second jump scare
She had been stiff like this for a while. Is she alright? She doesn't look like herself.
Trembling~~
Is Y/N scared of the movie.
Wispers
Jungkook:" Y/N."
Y/N:" Yes."
Jungkook:" Are you alright."
Y/N:" I'm ok. The movie is really good."

If she says she's Alright. She must be enjoying her time.
〰️ scary part of the whole movie〰️
actress:"AHHHHHHHH!!!"
Trembling like crazy
Jungkook:" Y/N."
...Turns and smiles...
_End of the movie_
Taehyung:" You didn't squeal like a girl this time."
Jin:" Why would I."
Lisa:" The movie was amazing. Jimin, we should go watch a movie together some other time."
Jimin:" Sounds great."
Jungkook:" Y/N, did you like the movie."
Jumps
Y/N:" Jungkook?! Don't do that."
Jungkook:" What did I do."
Y/N:" Sorry. The movie was fun. We should go watch another one soon."

High school we where lovers, now you hurt me because I wasn't the greatest looking. You chose her over me and I was heart broken. 
I met a nerdy boy who helped me and loved me, but hurted me too. You where my shoulder to cry on, but I don't love you like how I love him. The nerd changed and is now the guy I love most in my heart, but you still are the one who I can look up too. 
The one I love loves me, but loves her too, but who knows how mine and his love story will end... I might end up with either of you...

According to preliminary calculations, the six-day shooting had cost them dozens of millions of dollars. This was actually pretty much Qin Guan's total fortune in 2005. As Qin Guan sighed with emotion, Braga mustered the courage to walk over to him.
The Brazilian beauty, who had black hair and eyes, was much younger than Qin Guan, but she was more experienced than him. Everyone liked beautiful women, so even if they were green hands, pretty girls were still popular in superhero films.
Braga had been participating in all kinds of Hollywood films ever since she was 18 years old. After being confused for six years, she had finally gotten the courage to ask Qin Guan, the most famous man she had ever cooperated with, a question.
"Excuse me, Qin Guan? May I ask you a question? I hope I'm not bothering you."
She was a sensitive woman, but she considered Qin Guan a kind man, so she had decided to express her thoughts, even though he was a stranger.
Plus, she thought Qin Guan was qualified to answer her question.
Qin Guan turned to her. Their short cooperation had been enough for her to show her professionalism. She was not like those bland Hollywood beauties. She had impressed him a lot. Plus, she was one of those rare people who were immune to his looks.
"Of course you are not. I'll be happy to answer your question."
"I've been wondering why my agent is always choosing sci-fi, post-apocalyptic movies for me. Ever since I entered the circle, I have never acted in a single normal film. Do you think I'm scary?"
That's a good question.
Qin Guan looked at her carefully. She was a typical Brazilian beauty. The only characteristics that might interest a director had to be her black hair and eyes, as well as the slightly droopy corners of her mouth.
As an Asian, Qin Guan didn't know what the basic aesthetic standards of Western people were. One had to be born one to know. Western people couldn't even distinguish between Fan Pingping and Li Bingbing though.
As a result, he had to find another way to answer her question politely.
"I think you are both pretty and smart. That must be why they cast you in thrillers. Beautiful ladies with walnuts for brains are usually satisfied with playing the pretty girl. That way, they don't need to pour their soul into each character."
"Heroines in thrillers and sci-fi films are different though. They face much more complicated situations, so they have to be strong enough, both physically and mentally, to deal with all kinds of emergencies. These roles require better acting skills. That's why you are perfect for them."
"There are lots of beautiful women in Hollywood, but only a few of them can impress the audience. Do you want to be famous for your private life instead?"
Braga shook her head.
"Exactly. That would be an insult for any real actor. How many big films have you been in? Is it three or four? That's enough. If every director thinks of you as soon as they get such a script, or the fans consider you a goddess, then you are successful."
"When your name is mentioned in the same sentence as Julia Roberts or Sharon Stone, you won't be worried about the type of films you act in anymore. You will be able to just be yourself."


Qin Guan was reborn and sent back to his final semester in High School 18 years ago. Getting a second chance at life, he works hard to turn things around and eventually become a Prince Charming. What will his life be like the second time around? What will he have to go through? How will he succeed in turning from a loser into a Prince Charming? Read this story carefully and find out!


Fina looked similar to Ashera cats because both had blonde fur with black spots, but Fina's hair was shinier and easily recognized. 

Usually when people saw Fina, they thought it looked dangerous and wild, but next to the Ashera cat, everyone would think it looked much more tame and cute. 

Ting Ying kindly waved her hand at Fina and told it nervously, "Kitten, don't get too close, that cat is dangerous!"

Luo Qingyu, on the other hand, tried to convince it to get closer. "Go, go, go! You can do it! Beat the s**t out of it!"

Zhang Zian looked at the Ashera cat with surprise because the way it was looking at Fina was so nonchalant, unlike the other cats who usually would shake in fear when they even smelled Fina.

Snowy Lionet and Galaxy weren't afraid of Fina because they saw it as an elfin instead of a real cat. Old Time Tea wasn't afraid of Fina because it had the spiritual power of necessary violence, which he used in events of injustice. This Ashera cat, however, was not an elfin, so why wasn't it afraid of Fina? 

Zhang Zian thought hard about it and decided on one possibility. Ashera cats' genetics mostly came from their wild ancestors like marbled cats or leopards, not domestic cats. Because of this, it likely wasn't aware of Fina's true power. 

Fina was also very confused, staring at the Ashera cat. To it, this strange animal seemed like a cat yet still did not completely feel like a real cat. Its presence felt so strange, and this unfamiliarity made her uncomfortable. 

The Ashera cat apparently hated to be stared at and shouted again, sending out a threatening message that sounded similar to a screaming baby. Although the background of this cat was different and very feral, it could still feel the dangerous threats coming from the golden cat in front of it, like any other cats natural instincts.

"How dare you!" Fina was furious.

Fina was the protector of the Ptolemaic dynasty and the king in the Beisite Palace in Bubastis. But before that, it would always be a noble warrior who commanded over other cat warriors to protect the barns of Ancient Egyptians from mice, and to protect Ancient Egyptians families from the invasion of poisonous snakes and other poisonous insects. Its warrior pride made these disrespectful threats from the strange cat even more unacceptable.  

Lu Yiyun and the others listened to Fina roar back with a high pitched tone in response to the Ashera cats' defiance. At the same time they watched it stick up its fur all over its body, arch its back, and reveal its claws and  pointed ears. Fina's body grew double in size to face its opponent and was ready to fight.

Seeing these two cats staring each other down, ready to start fighting at any moment, Ting Ying and Luo Qingyu quickly hid behind the cashiers desk so they wouldn't get hurt. It would be an unpredictable fight, like a needle versus a thorn.

"Sir, please stop them, please don't let them fight!" Ting Ying had faith that Zhang Zian could stop the fight because he was the only one who could speak the cats' language. 

Luo Qingyu changed his camera mode from photo to video. Even though he was scared, he couldn't miss this opportunity. He would get hundreds of thumbs up if he posted this video on Weibo.

Zhang Zian didn't know what to do. He wasn't afraid of a fight going down between Fina and the Ashera cat, because after all the Ashera cat was still in its cage. He was just worried about the situation— It wouldn't be likely to work if he asked Fina to put up with the other cat, but the good thing was that this Ashera cat wouldn't be staying in the shop for much longer. 

At that moment, his phone suddenly rang. He took it out and saw that it was Lin Qi. After he picked up the phone, Lin Qi said with a tired voice, "Hey, Manager Zhang, why did you call me so early?"

Zhang Zian responded directly, "Your Ashera cat is here, come and pick  it up now!"

Lin Qi obviously had just woke up and wasn't fully awake yet. It took him awhile to understand what had happened and he said, "What? My cat's already there? That's awesome…"

He hadn't finished his sentence when the Ashera cat started moving anxiously in his cage, seeming unhappy about how intimidating Fina was acting. It roared back at it, sounding like a high pitched baby crying. 

"What was that sound?" Lin Qi got so scared that he finally woke up on the other side of the line. He dropped his phone out of his hand and he picked it up in a hurry saying, "Manager Zhang are you watching Thai thrillers? Turn down the volume please! My heart can't handle that sort of scary thing…"

"Sorry, but I don't watch Thai thrillers. That was actually your Ashera cat." Zhang Zian told him the harsh truth. 

"Huh? Manager Zhang you're kidding, aren't you? Cats only make nice meowing sounds, right?" Lin Qi sounded desperate. The scream had freaked him out! 

Thrillers were the last kind of film Lin Qi would ever watch, especially Thai thrillers. After watching one, he spent the whole night awake with the lights on. The reason he bought an Ashera cat was so he could show it off to his friends, and he definitely couldn't do that while he was freaked out and terrified.

Zhang Zian was nearly speechless. "Mr. Lin, who do you think you are? Ashera cats are not even close to being normal domestic cats, and that was just the way they normally meow. Listen to me, you'd better get up and hurry over here. This cat looks mostly cute if you look at it quickly, but that is the real meowing though."

"Real...really? Are you sure? Are you lying to me?" Lin Qi said trembling, sounding like he had found his savior.

Ting Ying and Luo Qingyu looked at Zhang Zian without saying a word. Was this cat actually cute? You could say it was pretty, as it had its own unique wild beauty, but cute? It had nothing to do with cuteness. The store manager was an expert at lying! 

Zhang Zian said calmly, "Of course it's true. Come on over here, take your cat with you, and you can show him off to your friends. Also, this cat can't be refunded or returned within seven days, I'm just letting you know." Before Lin Qi could respond, Zhang Zian hung up.

Zhang Zian wouldn't back down in this cat sale. The fees had been paid for, the cat had been ordered, and returns weren't allowed even if you no longer wanted it.

The strange sound coming from the Ashera cat caught the attention of Fina and the other elfins, even though there was an automatic glass door between them. 

Old Time Tea's beard trembled slightly as he smelled the scent of the wild cat coming from the door. Was it a beast or something? it thought to himself. Can Zhang Zian handle this on his own? I'd better go and check it out. It jumped out of its electronic heated blanket, straightened its hat and its clothes, and quickly walked out into the outer room.

Sensing the tension filled atmosphere between the Ashera cat and Fina, Old Time Tea was absolutely shocked — this cat seemed ferocious. But no matter how aggressive it was, even if it was ten times more aggressive than average, it was a piece of cake for Old Time Tea. It just doubted that Fina could handle a fight against it. Fina's pride wouldn't allow itself to ask for help from Old Time Tea. 

Knowing this, Old Time Tea walked to the side and hid itself in the shadow of the cat god sculpture. It waited to see if things would go wrong, and if it did, it would be able to jump in and do something.

Richard was shocked when it heard the Ashera cat's roar from the second floor, and he was scared to imagine what it could possibly be. It flew downstairs in a hurry, flapped its wings and shouted, "What was that sound? I'm scared, I'm scared!"

It flew around in a circle and noticed that everyone was in the outer room. It started to go in, but changed its mind as soon as it saw the Ashera cat, and instead flew to the highest point in the shop and waited— it was 100 percent sure that once the cat came out of its cage, it would be the first one the cat would attack! 

Ever since Snowy Lionet had tasted raw beef, it couldn't stop imagining it. Like the character in The Plum in the Golden Vase, it loved the taste of raw beef even though it had never tasted beef sirloin before. Once it tried it for the first time, it was immediately obsessed with the idea of eating it. It closed its eyes and chanted to himself, "Raw beef…raw beef…mama wants raw beef…"

The sharp sounds from the Ashera cat didn't wake it up from its daydream. It was in the middle of its beef sirloin eating fantasy when someone gently shook its body to reality.

Snowy Lionet unwillingly opened its eyes, angrily wondering who dare shook him out of his dream. If it was Zhang Zian, it would kill him. 

However, it was Galaxy, staring at it with its grey eyes. It said seriously,  "Fina is about to get attacked outside."


1. Download a suspicious game
2. Catch a few magical pets as partners
3. Go through interesting daily routines and lead the pet shop to a whole new level


         "DUDDEEE… YOU'RE CROSSING THE DEADLINE AGAIN?!" An annoying voice whizzed through my ears. 
"Calm down man… You know I dedicated myself to thrillers from the day I became a writer…. And this is the first time I am writing a rom-com!"
The guy sitting in front of me, gave me a look of pity when I said that. He had a look in his face as if asking me; Who the hell told you to change your genre. I didn't have any answers for that particular question. It just came to me suddenly one day after writing fictional thrillers for these years that it's time I try something new, I never had any girlfriend since I was born nor did I wanted one. Fortunately for that I could spend time on thinking which led me to take writing as a hobby at first but as time passed it turned into my passion. My interest in thrillers came when I first watched 'The Shawshank Redemption'. It made me watch more and more and read more and more thrillers, until one day while spinning my pen while doing the assignment given by my Physics teacher in the first year of high school something clicked inside my mind and I started writing something then followed it with another and before I could know I had already spent a month and a half writing that, when I finished writing it… I didn't know what to do next. I looked over the internet and found that I can upload my writings in a competition or two. I didn't get any price and that made me really angry as my pride was shattered. I had decided then and there what I was supposed to do in life. Through these 3 years of my writing career I have written about a dozen of books. But when I read some romcoms a few months ago I just got irritated, because those novels had the potential to become one of the best… but, but you have to add those clichés right? Just then I decided mix my genre with romance and make something those extravagant novels couldn't pursue. 
"So when will you submit the second chapter where you introduce the main female character?"
"Well… I want to make a more mysterious female character than even I can think of you know?! "
"Even you can think of?? You're the one who will be writing them… so stop fantasizing and write something "
He was my editor and one annoying editor at that. I met this guy when I decided to take a psychology major in college (even though I was a writer). He was in the same class as me. A very few students in my class were interested in writing but this dude was a hell of a writer himself. He had written many novella drafts in just one year, but that guy never tried to turn them into a book. Those were masterpieces, absolute gems. When I asked him why wouldn't he publish them, he said he never wanted to be writer himself but would love to help others with their books as much as he could. And that's how that dork became my Editor. Well calling him dork wouldn't help me escape hell as I was even a bigger one. 
"Just give me some more time to think… I will be sure to notify you within a week… sounds alright?"
"Well… you have already crossed the deadline so… yeah sure, do your best… . By the way you wanted to visit marriage ceremony in a village right?"
"Yeah…Yeah… We will go there once I figure something out about my mysterious girl" I chuckled and sent him off. After he left I went to the Veranda. I lived in the second floor of the boys hostel in the college I was studying in, I looked down and saw a girl walking in the front lane of our hostel. The college was strict about the interactions between boys and girls(girls weren't allowed to go inside boy's hostel and boys weren't allowed to go inside girl's hostel), which should be obvious but there was one more thing that if any officials saw a boy or a girl roaming around at night other than their rooms then they will be suspended for at least a week. It was pretty interning law coming from a private university. I couldn't care less so I decided to shut down the windows but something grabbed my attention. I saw a boy coming out and stand just in front of that girl. I thought that the girl was going to confess to him but my prediction was a failure as she just slapped as hard as she could. She walked away after saying something which I couldn't hear. That guy had an expression like he has seen a ghost. I shut the windows down and hoped onto my bed. I decided to check some reviews of one of my books in google and there popped a new comment. It said "I really hate you Akash Varma…. The characters in your novels are great and have great character developments but what about your main character? Doesn't he have a peaceful life? He's always indulged in something… he doesn't have a girlfriend, his parents have separated or got killed… Your main character always has a dark story… And you use first person perspective so it makes me feel like super depressed… So, I love your books but I hate you… "The name was Shreya Dey. I have got criticisms and stuffs before too but what was this? I wasn't sure if this was a compliment or a hate speech…." Huhhh" I gave up pondering about it and fell asleep. 
The calling bell rang again and again until I woke up and opened the door. 
"Huhh… what the fuck do you want? First thing in the morning I have to see your face... "I sighed. 
"Being your editor and buddy it's my job to kick your ass out of misery"
"And what do you mean by that? "
He opened a bottle and pour the water over me. 
"WHAT THE… ?!"
"Seems like you're out of misery… so we shall proceed towards our class now Mr Akash Varma"
"Oye… don't call me that, you know my real name right? It's Swades Roy… get it?"
"Yeahh… Yeahhh… Mr Swades sleepy ass Roy now get dressed up or are you planning to go to college like this in boxers?"
Sounds great, I thought and changed. I had given all my clothes to a nearby laundry yesterday so I had to wear a T-shirt which had a hole under my right arm pit and a tracksuit pant. The dress combination was weird making me look like a crack head but I couldn't care less. 
"Wow… the rising star in the writing industry is a crack head?"
"Don't fuck around… "
We left the hostel and took a detour to get some breakfast from the canteen. Ankur(Editor) took a huge piece of burger. I purchased a sandwich and a cup of coffee. 
"How do you take so much fat inside your tiny belly?"
"It increases my metabolism rate"
"You mean you can't shit until you eat it right?"
We reached the building where our class was located. The temperature difference was incredible inside and outside due to the air conditioners. But after having a look at my fourth semester results, my body temperature rise again. As usual I was placed right in the bottom perfectly. Ankur sighed beside me. He was placed in the top three, which made any excuses I could make impossible. The classes for the new semester were shifted to another room. It was on the 5th floor. We went to the elevator but it was full. Each elevator we looked were all full. I had no problems in walking but Ankur was as lazy a person could get. Coming to the second floor he couldn't walk anymore so I had to carry his bag too, the bag felt like it was carrying the Gauntlet of Thanos. 
"What the heck is inside your bag?"
"Ohhh… I issued all the Harry Potter Books at once from the library and I am returning it today "
"What the hell? Why would you do something like that? Couldn't you have asked me? I have truckloads of books"
He grinned. We finally reached the classroom. I took my seat, and wondered how was I still alive… I sat on my usual seat beside the window. Ankur was my bench mate too, so I just couldn't get away from him. We had 15 students in our class including us both. Each of the students were writing something on a piece of paper. Even Ankur was doing the same. 
"What's going on Dude? What are these handouts about?"
"Well, the college is organizing a trip for all the students of the science stream… including all years"
"Huhh? Are they hijacking a plane or something? More than 350 students?"
"No... Not so extreme but yeah they have arranged 7 buses which will take us there"
Well, I can write in peace then ; I thought. 
"Don't think you can get away you're coming too"
"No way"
"Yes way…. I have filled up your form already so I will just submit it now"
"No way, give it to me" I tried to snatch it from him. But my hands slipped. He started running away with the two handouts he had in his hands and before I could catch him, he had already entered HOD's office. I sighed and ambled my way to the corridor where my class was, there I saw the same girl from last night who slapped the life out of that boy. She had an angry expression on her face for some reason and I saw a boy there, the same boy from last night. She marched towards him and without any hesitation just kicked his nuts. The scream of that boy spread throughout the floor. I could feel his pain even from this distance. No one came to help him, I wondered why? 
It was 5:30 and atlast the classes were over. I went to the library with my laptop to write a short story to pass my time and refresh my mind a bit. I grabbed a seat took out my earplugs, started listening to Jazz and submerged myself into my story. Listening to Jazz while writing helped a lot, relaxing the nerves and tiredness which might have taken over. I realized that someone was sitting beside me so, I stopped writing. No one in this college knew that I was a writer instead of Ankur and I wanted to keep that status of normal. When I turned around to see whom it was. I saw that it was the same girl whom slapped and kicked that guy. I lost my balance and fell backwards. She got up from her seat and stretched her right hand towards me. 
"SSSSOORRRYYY… I DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING, I PROMISE "
"Why are you screaming? Are you an idiot? We are in library"
I noticed that everyone's eyes were on me. I quickly got up and sat on the chair again. That girl again stretched her hand towards me and I fell down again. This time she grabbed my hand and pulled me up. 
"Why are freaking out? Do I look like a monster?"
I shook my head vigorously. 
"Here your earplugs... They got detached from the wire..." She handed me my earplugs. "Ohhh… so that's why the music suddenly stopped?" I sighed. She was reading a book. Somehow the book looked familiar, when I looked closely it was one of mine. I had proud smile on my face. She caught me starring at her. 
"Do you like thrillers?" she asked. 
"Yeah.. More or less" I said casually. 
Her face suddenly became rigid and then she just jumped out of her seat and grabbed my collar and shouted;
"You half ass readers are the reason the writers don't get enough motivation sometimes!!"
We were kicked out of the library. I left the building and was on my way to the hostel when someone called me from behind. I looked and found it was that girl again. "What a miserable day" I thought and sighed. She ran towards me and took out a book from her bag and handed it to me. 
"Here… read this and tell me how is it"
"Okay.. "
"So what's your name?"
"Swades Roy… What about you?"
"I am Shreya Dey… Now don't ask me for my number, I don't have time for that stuff"
That stuff? What does she mean? And why will I ask for her number? She's the one who came running to me. The more I saw this girl, the more strange she seemed to get. I looked at the book and it was the same book she was reading. "Wow… she gave it to me? Well it feels good when one of your fans suggest you a….. Wait… did she just say Sneha Dey? That girl whom said she hates me in the review section? The hell is this?".
"You know Akash Varma?"
"Ohh… yeahh.. Yeah.. I know him… I mean I read his books, aren't they awsome? You can never figure what would happen next… " When I looked at her, she had the same face when she screamed on me in the library. I stopped talking. 
"AKASH VARMA IS A… IS A… MADMAN… HE JUST NEVER CARES ABOUT HIS MAIN CHARACTERS… HIS MAIN CHARACTERS JUST FLIRT WITH GIRLS AND THE NEXT MOMENT HE VANISHES… HE NEVER ALLOWS THEM TO HAVE ANY RELATIONSHIPS…. I HATE HIMMM.. "
"Huh… why am I alive?"
"Uhmmm… can I say something?"
"Go ahead "
"I think its cliché to involve and stuff in thrillers… so I… ummm… he… so he might you know? Might not like those stuffs.. "
"If that's true… then I hate him moreee… readers look for clichés sometimes, however we advance in our society… some things never change… "
I didn't know why but those words suddenly left a small halt in my heart. Clichés are liked by readers? I never thought of it… I thought books were made to escape reality. 
"But we read books to escape reality right? Then why bring clichés?"
She sighed and said; "We read books to find another reality; where we can laugh, cry, get angry, fall in love… " She went on and on. Her words literally were making that void inside me even bigger. Then I noticed her face, she had a such serious eyes while saying these things. Her lips were moving so fast, it seemed like she was rapping. Her hair was perfectly braided, she wore a white shirt and and a black jeans. She looked like a journalist for some reason. 
"So what do you think?" she asked. 
"Wh… what? Ohh yes you're probably right "
"Not probably… I am absolutely right "
She looked at her watch and said she was getting late and ran away like cheetah. She was so energetic that even I got tired looking at her. "Ankur won't like that girl very much" I thought and chuckled. While coming to my room I saw a guy standing in the corridor wearing a towel. I ignored him and started unlocking my door. 
"You're going in?" he asked.
"Yeah of course… I pay for it"
"Can you please let me in for sometime…. I lost my keys…"
"No… I don't allow males to enter my house… I am straight "
"I am straight too dude… just let me sit inside for a while"
"No.. "
"Then shall I bring my girlfriend too? Then you won't be alone with a guy"
"Nope it's my room not your romantic getaway.. "
Ankur entered the scene and just unblocked my door and went inside as if it was his own. That guy with the towel glared at me and tried to go inside but I blocked his way. 
"Where do you think you're going brat?"
"Please just for a while… even he went inside "
Ankur glanced at us and said;
"Come on Akash… let him in"
"That's not my name, can't you call me by my real name?"
"Yeah… yeah… you want to keep it a secret from everyone that you're a writer… I know but he knows already so let that kid in"
The kid he mentioned was my hostel room neighbour. He just finished his first year and was starting his second now. His ambition was to become a director in the coming future. When asked what he would direct, he had no answers. I pitied that guy not even knowing what to do in his life properly. So he was the only other human who knew about my real identity other than Ankur. He was a Media student, so he knew what he was doing but didn't have clear ideas about the future. He started spending time with us when he was in second semester. 
I let him inside and he just helped himself on my bed. "What do these guys think they are?" I kicked him down of my bed. Ankur raised an eye brow and I knew what that meant, so I said;
"Yeah… I think, I have an idea about my mysterious girl now"
"Mysterious girl? Woah… you got a girlfriend bhaiya?" That kid said. 
"Shut the fuck up Dhruv, and when will your key come back?"
"Keys don't fly Bhaiyaa… tomorrow, it will be here.. "
I didn't like where this was going. 
"So where do you plan on spending the night" I asked. 
"Comeon Akash… he's our kid let's spend the night together"
"Not a single word of that line sounds appreciate… "
So they both decided to spend the night there. I made rajma-chawal and after finishing our night meal, Ankur opened a bottle of wine which he brought with him from somewhere. 
"Don't you get caught? They don't allow this in college do they?" I asked. 
"Who cares… let's have some"
I took a small glass and Ankur finished almost half of the bottle. He was drunk as hell. He started laughing and then crying and then he said how his crush started dating someone else. He started complaining about how he has to keep it a secret too that he is my editor because of my idiotic policy of privacy. He kissed that kid and asked him to join him but he turned him down immediately. At last he reached his limit and fell asleep. I let the kid sleep on my bed and I slept on small sofa which was placed in that room. The room was pretty small and three people sleeping together made it even more exhausting. I opened the windows and there was a nice breeze outside refreshing my mind. The dark sky looked beautiful, with some starts visible it looked just magnificent. I might have written a whole story describing the sky but my daydream was shattered when something hit my head. Someone threw a rock at me. When I looked down, it was none other than Ms Shreya Dey… She had an unusual smile on her face and started waving her hands when she saw that I was looking at her. How did she know I live here? Is she stalking me? She suddenly signalled me if she could come up. I was literally stunned by the bravery of that girl. Coming to boys hostel, asking a boy if she could come to his room, throwing stones? I really needed to be watchful. I signalled her that it's late. But she didn't listen so I went down instead. 
"Did you start reading the book?"
"Yeah it's pretty good… I will surely return it once I finish.. "
"Don't worry about it… I have read it dozens of times "
Dozens of times? Why do you read the book of someone whom you hate so much? I wanted to ask but decided against it. We walked and talked about the book while coming to a stop. She pointed her right index finger towards the sky and said;
"That's Jupiter, right?" I nodded. She continued; "It's so far… isn't it? So far from this world… I wish I could go there…. Far from this world… That's why I love Akash Varma's books, he too seems like he wants to get away from this world… he too wants to be loved… "
"But you hate him, right?!"
"Hmmm… "
" You know, I hate him too… can't change himself, can't change his family situation, can't love others, can't do anything… "
"But he tries his best and help others right?! "
"What?"
"What? You're talking about his main characters, right?"
"Huhhh? Ohhh yeahh.. Yeah… "
She was really a strange girl. She didn't hate the writer Akash Varma, which was me just because of some story but there was a deep reason behind it. She saw her watch. 
"Ohhh shit I am late I have something important to do… later… " She departed like the wind. I decided to go back too but my luck wasn't so good as the warden saw me and shattered my ears, shouting like a monkey. He didn't care if someone was asleep or not he just did what seemed right to him. Maybe I should do what seems right to me too, because only this path could lead me where I want to be….
I reached my room and tip toed my way to the sofa and helped myself. I read an Amazon review this time and there she was again; "Guess what? I found another hater of yours like me….. P.S. Don't stop writing… " I sighed after reading it. Damn this girl really is something….


Most people in this world must have had fantasies about the end of the world at least once in their life. But what really happens when the world ends? Well, Akash.. the lazy, antisocial writer,and an immortal at that... knows exactly what the judgement day looks like. Don't believe it? Here have a look;

“Test run ended or I destroyed everything?”
“You destroyed everything of course… there were still a couple of billion years left for its first stage to be over… and you destroyed it in it’s 0.86th state… any words?”
I really had no words. Well yes, I knew I had to be careful using my powers but I was sure I didn’t use much… 
“I know you didn’t use much but it was enough to destroy that black matter which was forming inside it, and when you blasted it… the black matter ignited itself and made holes in the space time continuum… so yeah you fucked up”
I destroyed the whole fucking universe? Why am I so powerful? 

After destroying the world, he and his friend who is also responsible for this had to group up with strange and mysterious(idiots too!) accomplices to save the world! Which world to save when the world is destroyed right? Well, Akash was dumbstruck too when he saw the world in fine shape but something was off, while destroying the world he had opened a pathway for many different parallel dimensions and humongous beasts were crawling,swimming and flying around the planet now. With uncertainties all around, a dark world where even immortals could die...is it really earth now? As Akash and co land on the Earth:2.0 uncertainly and find their powers gone, they don't know what unimaginable monsters which are bigger than any nightmarish creature anyone can think of,will be there and what will happen to them...Akash always wanted a non cliché life, but not as extreme as this!

The way the Gamemaster looked at him made him feel like he was about to get criticized and scolded. 
Zhihao got his mental state ready accordingly, to take in everything that this man was going to say to him no matter what it was. 
He wasn't wrong in thinking that he was going to get criticized. 
The Gamemaster's electronically modified voice finally came, "You said you want to beat me."
Zhihao looked at the man, trying his best to hide his embarrassment. He regretted saying such a thing and at the same time, he didn't. In the end, Zhihao nodded his head and admitted to the accusation. 
The Gamemaster smiled as he saw this, "With how you are playing, you can't beat me."
It was like thunder that had unexpectedly struck Zhihao. Never in his life had anyone criticized him on his gaming skills. He was the top pro-gamer for a reason. He thought he was ready to hear anything this man was going to say, but at this moment, he realized he was wrong. His heart stopped as he heard this and he felt a bit depressed. 
However, the Gamemaster wasn't done with his words and so he continued, "But I'm sure you'll get it and when you do... I'll look forward to being beaten by you."
Zhihao was once again shocked as he heard this. What was this bittersweet feeling he had? He was both depressed and happy at the same time. With such fluctuating emotions, he felt like he had suddenly turned into a teenage girl. 
He didn't know how to respond to it and he dare not act on instincts since his instincts told him to hug the man and blabber all about how perfect this game he created was. 
The Gamemaster also didn't seem to be looking for a response as he turned his head back front. 
"Um... I'll work hard and I won't let you down," Zhihao spoke as he also turned to stare at the white screen in front, too overwhelmed to look at the Gamemaster any longer. 
He heard the Gamemaster chuckle, "Sorry I couldn't talk to you much in the last game."
"Huh?"
"I was feeling a bit sick that day, but I'm fine now so show me, okay?"
"S-show you?"
"Show me why you are the top player, Mr. Mastermo." The man smiled without turning his head over to look at Zhihao whereas this time, Zhihao couldn't take his eyes off of the man. 
"How funny." Zhihao muttered out loud unconsciously, "Li Ling was also feeling sick at that time."
Silence followed. 
It took a whole minute for the Gamemaster to respond, "Who's that?"
"Oh, that's my friend and partner," Zhihao answered enthusiastically as he pointed at the person who sat on his left side. 
The Gamemaster glanced over and spoke, "What a coincidence."
Zhihao looked over at Li Ling and repeated the same thing, "It really is a surprising coincidence."
Li Ling didn't respond, but Zhihao was too excited to notice the lack of response. He immediately turned back to the Gamemaster. Now that the two had eased into the friendly atmosphere, Zhihao was no longer feeling awkward to talk, but this didn't mean he wasn't trying his best to hide away his excitement. 
"I'll show you." Zhihao answered confidently, "I'll show you why I'm qualified to beat you."
The Gamemaster nodded as he heard this. 
[Don't get over your head]
[You can never beat him]
Zhihao looked around, but he could no longer see the little ten-year-old girl. 
"Where did Alvi go?" He asked in confusion. 
[I'm not there]
[I don't have permission to have a character in this level]
"Huh?" 
Gamemaster, "There are no set characters in this level so she doesn't have anyone to take over." 
"What does that mean?" Zhihao felt a bit stupid as he asked, but he was a pretty curious person who wanted to know every little thing. He was like the hand raiser of the class who would ask the teacher to explain the meaning of zero when she was teaching algebra. 
The Gamemaster didn't seem to mind that this guy was asking him an obvious question and on the contrary, he looked to be really happy to tell him the answer, "We were transported into an empty level with no other humans. You are you and I am me SO we can play here in this physical form, but Alvi doesn't have a physical form, to begin with so she can't have a body."
Zhihao finally understood the gist of it. 
"Will we have to wait for ten minutes to get our mission?" Zhihao asked. 
[Actually]
Alvi didn't complete what she wanted to say and the empty screen in front of them suddenly had something written on it. 
The light was so near that it was hurting his eyes, but he could read the words clearly. 
<Don't look back>
[That's your mission]
[As long as you don't turn around, you'll complete the mission.]
Zhihao was a bit dumbfounded as he heard this. 
Wasn't this an H-ranked level? 
Were Hard levels supposed to be this easy?
It was basically just telling them to sit tight and don't look around. 
How hard could that be?
Had the game bugged out and gave them an E-ranked level in place of an H-ranked one?
Zhihao turned his head towards the Gamemaster and waited for answers. 
The Gamemaster didn't turn to face Zhihao as he spoke, "This level is a bit tricky."
"Eh? How is it tricky?" Zhihao asked immediately. 
To him, it seemed like a piece of cake. 
"You can't turn around no matter what happens." This time, the Gamemaster turned to look at Zhihao and smiled as he warned. 
Zhihao saw the man smiling at him and felt like he had missed something. 
He started doubting himself. 
Was this level really as easy as it sounded? 
Zhihao looked at the white screen and wondered: What if this white screen would start playing horror movies to make them look back? 
It was a possibility, one with high chances of coming true. 
Zhihao wasn't that scared of horror movies and on the contrary, he felt like no horror movie was successful in truly delivering the element of horror. 
They would all just put in some jump scares with a loud sound FX, making people jump from their seats. He felt like it was a bit laughable to see the faces of the ghosts in a horror movie. They were more of a comedy movie rather than a horror movie. 
The real horror movies were the psychological thrillers where you won't ever be able to guess who was the real killer is till the end. 
However, Zhihao was wrong. 
There was no display of horror movies on the screen and the text displayed on it didn't change. 
It only displayed one single sentence throughout the entire duration of the game: Don't look back.
Zhihao went quiet as he waited in anticipation. 
"Aaaaaaaaaaa!" 
He jolted up as he suddenly heard someone screaming from behind him. He would be lying if he said that he didn't almost turn back to look at the owner of the scream, but he only managed to turn sideways till he realized that this was a game where he was prohibited from looking back. 
So this was it. 
This was why this level was hard. 
They weren't going to turn around because of some stupid ghosts on the screen in front of them, they would be tempted to look back because of the sounds that they heard from behind. 
Zhihao felt his heart beat loudly from the shock of suddenly hearing the ear-piercing sound. 
Although he found horror movies laughable, he still didn't like the jump scares. The loud SFX would always make him jolt and his heart would almost stop beating. 
He failed at controlling his heavy breathing as he looked over to the Gamemaster to see his expressions but just as he had expected, the man didn't look to be shocked. 
It would have been more shocking if he really was shocked since he was the Gamemaster who created all this so he should already know what was coming. 
Unbeknownst to Zhihao, this wasn't the reason why the man had a straight expression. 
Zhihao snapped his head to the other side and saw Li Ling who had his eyes closed and was lightly shivering. 
"Did that scare you?" Zhihao asked softly. 
Li Ling looked over at Zhihao and nodded, "I'm not good with jump scares."
Zhihao smiled as he saw this, he suddenly felt a bit happy to see that he wasn't alone, "Don't worry, I'm also not very fond of jump scares."
Li Ling looked at the man smiling at him and he tried to muster up his own smile, however, before he could do so, he heard something else and he immediately closed his eyes again. 
This time it was the sound of a bus coming towards them from behind. 
Zhihao looked at the screen as he heard the sound of the bus coming closer and closer, he heard the loud horns ringing out as if it were an indication for them to get out of the road. 
His heart which was already beating loudly didn't get a chance to calm down as he heard this scary sound. 
When the truck got close enough, they heard screeches and Zhihao was almost left to believe that this wasn't a game but it really was the real world and he was going to die in this truck accident. 
His hands clenched up in a fist and he tried his best to get out of the straps but he failed to do so and the sound of the screeching stopped. 
Zhihao breathed out a sigh as he felt relieved that he was still alive. 
[You are doing good so far.]
Zhihao looked over at the Gamemaster and the sight was the same. This man wasn't fazed at all. 
Impressive! Really impressive!
Zhihao looked over at Li Ling and found him in the same condition as well but this time, the man was shivering more with his eyes closed and his lips mumbling something incoherent. 
Zhihao felt his heart soften as he saw this, "Are you okay?" 
Li Ling looked back and nodded, "I'm good."
Zhihao wanted to say something more but before he could, they were once again hit with a sound coming from behind them. 
This time it was a heavy breathing sound and when Zhihao heard it, he felt like someone was breathing down his neck. 
He felt goosebumps rise all over his body and immediately closed his eyes. 
Zhihao closed his eyes and held his breath in but the heavy breathing sound didn't go away and instead, it moved from one ear to the other as if the person was moving around like a snake. 
He started counting sheeps in his mind. He had no idea why he did that but it somehow helped him distract his mind. 
He counted till twenty sheep and the heavy breathing sound went away. 
Zhihao sighed in relief and this time he didn't look over at the Gamemaster, he looked over at Li Ling to make sure that the man was okay, and just as he expected, he found the man once again closing his eyes and trying his best to struggle out of the constraints. It was hopeless. Zhihao had already realized that there was no way they could get out of these constraints. 
"Just hang on for a bit more." Zhihao tried to reassure the man, "It will be over in a little while."
Li Ling opened his right eyes and peeked at Zhihao, "In a little while?"
Suddenly Li Ling felt like Zhihao looked a bit too optimistic. 
There was no way this was going to get over in a little while. 



Getting thrown into a volcanic mountain? 
Stalked by bloodthirsty creatures?
Hunted by people who love pitchforks and fire?
Finding yourself participating in a ghost festival?

This was normal. Well, at least, according to Huang Zhihao a.k.a. Mastermo, the world’s most famous and beloved pro-gamer. A hardworking youth whose first love was gaming. At an age, where he should be dating and attending business parties with his father, you’ll find him holed up in his room, enjoying his favorite game: T.I.A.D.
He had always aimed to be at the top of the pro-gamers list and now that he had achieved that goal, he had a new ambition: To beat the Gamemaster of T.I.A.D.
An online RPG released with the help of VR technology, a game that became an overnight sensation because of its marketing strategy. A simple strategy where they gave out a cash prize of a million dollars to anyone who stands first at winning the game. 
All you have to do is beat the Gamemaster, an unknown man who is respected by all and has also, unfortunately, become the target of their weapons. 
Unexpectedly, Huang Zhihao had fallen in love with the anonymous Gamemaster whom he had to kill!

Join Zhihao on his journey where he fights monsters, meets new people, unravels many plot twists, and finds love.


"It was.....you??" Zhihao asks in shock, as if, he hadn't guessed it already.



-Filled with adventure.
-A slow burn. 
-More story-based 
-Filled with fluff (Try not to die from the sweetness)
-no smut lol

For the rest, you can read the story and find out. It won't disappoint
\(^~^)/

Out of nowhere Jeordie asks "So, how's your husband?" 

Suddenly the memory of first meeting Reginald started to flicker in Amanda's mind and she started to cry but after that she kept her composure and then she responded 

"We aren't together anymore." Amanda replied. 

"Oh, I'm sorry but don't worry you'll get through this." Jeordie said.

"It was February 6 2019, the day he and I first met and I gave everything of myself to him my heart, my mind and my virginity." 

"We did everything together when we were dating having deep conversations, bonded over our love for Thrillers and we even went to a Japanese Love Hotel for our wedding night but I didn't question his money spending methods since he was rich, British and proud of it." Amanda explained. 

"He was everything I wanted in a man and I adored him for that and I still remember his last words to me after the incident." Amanda said. 

"You piece of shit! What good are you to me now? I'm the reason your sorry ass is so goddamn successful and now you want to divorce?!" Reginald asked Amanda. 

Amanda broke down in tears and as she struggled to say anything but in a brilliant way of word association she said 

"You're not good enough, anymore! Hell, your not even good enough in bed and I don't give a shit if you're even planning to have makeup sex with me after we're done having this conversation because think again, fucker."

Reginald screamed and he threw an empty vase onto the wall and it shattered to pieces but luckily Amanda managed to get away from him by going to her Mother's house, explained everything and with proof they managed to get a permanent restraining order against her husband and soon enough she decided to divorce him.

That was February 17th 2019 and she just a year after I got away from him via restraining order and blocking his phone number and all his accounts on social media.

Amanda then proceeded to tell Jeordie everything about what happened to her with Reginald. 

Jeordie then proceeded to tell Amanda advice about how to deal with her trauma in the past. 

"Thank you, Jeordie" Amanda replied. 

"You're Welcome, always." Jeordie said. 

Amanda then proceeded to fall back asleep for an hour but little does she know what lies ahead her time spent with Jeordie.

Amanda Cosgrove is a former college student and she is divorced from her husband, Reginald Jones however even though she has been recently gotten her divorce papers finalized, She has been pretty unlucky in love until she stumbles upon an app called "Blooming Within You" that has acquired an appreciation towards her new AI boyfriend, Jeordie.

good psychological thrillers novel

Project [REDACTED]

The Sound of Silence

Building Baby

__________________________________

Your Love Is to Sweet

Rebirth: How A Loser Became A Prince Charming

Pet King

Not Cliché

What?! The gamemaster and the top player are dating?! [BL]

I Have An AI Boyfriend

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