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

I woke up next to Ryan, he kissed my neck affectionately. I hummed in response. I shifted my feet brushing against Ryan’s cold feet. Before this, I didn’t know his feet were always cold. I leaned forward and kissed his shoulder. My hand trailed from his waist to his ribs. 


“Beautiful,” he mumbled against my neck. His warm fingertips ran through my hair, making it more messed up then it already was from sleeping. I stopped and looked into his icy eyes. Tracing glances over me. 


“This is wrong! You’re sick! You need help! No son of mine is going to like boys!” the words storm my head and I pull away from Ryan. I sit up, curling into a ball. Arms wrapped around my shins, chin to my knees. 


I avoid eye contact. He sits up in front of me. 


“What is it? Did I do something?” he asks. 


15. Ashamed