The perspective of the 3M when they first met Naomi.

    It had been more than three years since the last time. Back then I never rang the bell or knocked, instead walked in knowing I was as welcome there as if it were my own house. But that was a long time ago. Things have changed since then. Or maybe they haven’t as much as I’d like to think. Either way, desperate times called for desperate measures and I was desperate. I finally got the go ahead on the play I'd written. It was my ticket out of here. The only problem- there hadn’t been a dramatic production at my high school in over a decade. It had taken some serious effort to find a teacher willing to sponsor the play and participate as the resident voice of authority over the newly formed drama club, of which I was currently the president and only member. And so here I was, at the house across the street. Because everyone knows any great production needed a celebrity. And Cole Parker was the closest thing to a celebrity our little town could claim. “Joie! What a surprise!” Mrs. Parker greeted, a furrow forming between her brows even as her lips curled into a happy smile. “Hi, Mrs. Parker. Is Cole home,” I asked, nerves shaking my voice. “Of course, he’s up in his room. Should I call him down or do you want to go on up?” “Oh, no. I can go up.” I glanced up the stairs. “Are you sure that’s okay?” “I’m sure. Go on up. He’s supposed to be doing homework.” Mrs. Parker’s expression turned jokingly sour. “But he’s probably watching SportsCenter.” I laughed, because even though I hadn’t talked to Cole in a long time, I felt certain she was right. Taking a deep breath, I took the first step leading to the second story of the Parker’s home. Memories pulsed through my mind with each one. Cole and I as little kids, sliding down the steps in slick sleeping bags. Picnics on the landing with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and grape Kool-Aid. Building castles and spaceships with Legos in his room for hours and hours until his mom called us down for dinner. Forcing him to play house after his sister, Macy, was born, pretending she was our daughter. Ha. Maybe I could use that one as blackmail. Too soon, I stood in front of his door. I slid my damp palms down the thighs of my bootcut jeans. Through the door, I heard sports commentators. I pictured Cole easily in my mind. Just because we hadn’t spoken in years didn’t mean I hadn’t seen him as recently as a couple of hours ago. In fact, I’d seen him not thirty minutes ago when he pulled his beat up old Camaro into the driveway out front. I’d given it that long to shower and eat. Cole would be reclined on his bed, books strewn around him. He was a good student and would get his homework done, even with SportsCenter on. His dark brown hair would still be damp from his shower and he’d smell like Acqua Di Gio. He’d started wearing it before- well, just before. And he’d be wearing some kind of Cambridge High garb. Sweats and a t-shirt. If I was a betting girl, that’s what I’d gamble on. He’d caught my eye a few times since well, then, and I’d seen it in his eyes. The confusion. The anger. Emotions he attempted to hide behind a mask of indifference. Every time, I turned away from him as quickly as I could. It was fine. He didn’t need me. And I didn’t need him. He had his football team. His basketball team. The love and adoration of the whole school. What did it matter he didn’t have me? It didn’t. I had my writing. And as soon as I could- I’d be out of here.

    And since this is the last Christmas season of my high school career, my last chance to spend the holidays with my friends before we all go off to college, the news is anything but merry and bright.There is one silver lining, though. Bentley, the sweet and kind guy I’ve been crushing on for years, is in my volunteer group for the annual Winter Festival. And did I mention his love for Christmas just might rival my own? Even though I’ll be missing out on the Winter Festival, being paired with Bentley almost makes it worth it.Until something happens with Jason, my best friend since elementary school. Something that may or may not involve an almost kiss. Jason’s the opposite of jolly, the Grinch to my Mrs. Claus, and though every year I have to drag him along for the Yuletide ride, this December, he’s grumpier than ever about the holidays.But the closer I get to Bentley, and the more it looks like Jason and his ex are getting back together, the more unsure I am about who I want to ring in the new year with.Maybe all I need is the magic of a mistletoe kiss to make up my mind. Or better yet, a Christmas miracle…

    Time Bestselling Author In New YorkVampire Diaries Story 8 Titles in 6 BooksTitles in This SetThe Awakening + The Struggle, The Fury + The Reunion, Nightfall, Shadow Souls, The Return: Midnight, Phantom.

    Smith

    so no.""Dieting?""Hah, that's funny.""Slutish cloths?""I rather wear a trash can.""Make up?""I need motivation for that.""Heels?""What have my feet ever done to you?!"After that, he laughs and claps his hands together, "Yes, that is a good thing."~~~~~~~He wanted freedom.She needed freedom.Luke Barrington and Ella Sanders.They thought their lives were bad, living up to a parents' expectation is way harder then it seems, especially when they are filthy rich and claim they only want what is best for you.Just think, one moment you are so busy hating on life, and the next, you are in a coma laying on the hospital bed, clinging onto hope that you will survive.Maybe it just took two cars and a curve in the road for them to see that life isn't so bad after all.Because what's the point of life if you aren't even living?

    When Monique messed up her chance at a steady life of happiness, she found herself torn to choose between Chance, the guy whom she fought for, or Lourd, the guy she wished to forget but she really just can't.

    Expected. Accidentally gifts a five-hundred-dollar pen to a stranger. Unexpected.Neither event wreaks havoc on her life quite like meeting Elliot Reid does. He has eyes the color of the cloudy sky. A slapshot the whole country has an unhealthy obsession with. The uncanny ability to say the exact right thing, right when she needs to hear it.They stay in touch after she leaves. Swap secrets. Become best friends. Tell each other everything.Well…almost everything.It’s a thin line between love and hate. The line between love and friendship with a guy who makes mammoth-sized butterflies swarm your stomach? Practically transparent.But when he’s made it clear friendship is all he has to offer?You can never say it.

    Too bad his mom thinks it’ll “be good” for him. And if that wasn’t frustrating enough, now he has to deal with a certain attractive—loves to wear tacky Christmas clothes—overbearing girl who’s determined to show him the ins and outs of being holly and jolly. Is she for real?Last Christmas, Fallon Bauer was dumped by her now-ex. This Christmas? She just wants to enjoy her favorite time of year without thinking about you-know-who. So, when her neighbor asks for some holiday help, Fallon is more than glad to lend a hand. She wasn’t, however, expecting to work with Patton High’s bad boy: Marco Amorelli. The guy is a total grinch! But helping him find some serious holiday cheer could be a sure way to keep herself distracted from feeling heartbroken…right?What happens, though, when sparks fly between them and more than snow starts falling?

     *****When straight-A student Maddie is forced to move to LA, she plans to keep her head down, grades up, and make it through senior year as unnoticeable as possible. But when she stumbles upon an underground boxing match starring the intriguing Hayden Walker, she sees a chance to protect those she loves from her crazy, abusive father. She offers Hayden money in exchange for self-defense lessons, a dangerous arrangement that just might end up changing the pair of them forever.

    But a global war and mandatory draft turn her eighteenth birthday into a nightmare.Brennan, Jade’s adoptive dad, offers his last name and exemption status, leaving Kiera to question everything she’s ever thought about love. Even worse, she might actually be starting to have feelings for him. Life settles into a routine before shattering again, and Kiera is left with only one question… If God truly loves her, why is this happening?Limited edition hardcover includes exclusive bonus content.

    He hasn't seen her before, but even from afar, her smile was contagious. Maybe it was the way her lips curved upward, or how her eyes brightened in the dullness of the boxing arena.His friend follows the direction of his eyes to the girl sitting across the room, "Coach's daughter?" He asks.Damien nods his head, "That my friend, is the Chapstick girl." ~~~~~~~~~Amber is just your average girl trying to survive through her junior year of high school. Well, let's elaborate on that average part, there is just a small little detail that was left out.That she is known as the Chapstick girl. Why? No one hates her, in fact, everyone adores her kind, happy nature. Always willing to put others before herself. Or maybe it was because no matter where she goes, she always has HER chapstick. It defined her.A lot of people bypass the reason why she always has it, but maybe it has a deeper meaning than what other people see.Well, except one person.Damien.