16-year-old, Nico Bennett is prone to anxiety attacks on a daily basis, despite seeing a therapist and trying medications, they aren’t lessening in frequency or intensity. His parents are getting sick of him running out of class when the spotlight of a simple question is thrown at him. Nico’s friend Ryan Falcon, nineteen (popular, and a college football star), practically from another world, has some secrets. He’s in love with Nico and has been since they met when Nico was fourteen and he, sixteen. Nico has had a crush on Ryan ever since they met when he had a panic attack in class one day. They don’t know about each other’s feelings despite Ryan being a source of comfort for Nico when he panics. Nico’s parents don’t like Ryan, they think he’s a bad influence simply because he’s older. What will happen when Ryan confesses and steps out of the closet? Nico has big dreams of being a writer/singer, well Ryan wants to be an actor. What will happen when Nico decides to leave the house he grew up in because he can’t stand his parents’ and sisters’ judgments? What will happen when Ryan sends a demo of Nico’s music to a studio? What will happen when Ryan reveals other secrets he’s hiding​ from Nico?

The Sea and Its Mysteries

The next morning, I woke up before Ryan did again. I had a bowl of cereal and left him a note saying I might be back. I left my guitar there because I knew if I brought it to school it would get broken or stolen and I didn’t want Ryan spending more of his money to repair it or buy me a new one. If I brought it home my dad might break it in a drunken rage, too. 


I arrived early and found a safe, quiet spot in the library to hide out in till the bell rings. The library was actually quiet this early in the morning, during the day and lunch hour it was actually pretty loud in here. I blocked out the world with my headphones and music. 


7. Clean Slate