Novels by Stacy Borres

As I made my way to the gazebo while balancing a paper bag of burgers and two cups of iced tea, I couldn’t help but smile. Tyler had always loved these burgers. I remembered how he used to talk about them like they were the best thing on Earth, and I hoped, just maybe, it would make him feel a little more comfortable. And perhaps he would even talk to me properly.After a few seconds, I reached the gazebo, and Tyler was already sitting on the bench, elbows on his knees, staring at something I couldn't see. He didn't even look up when I arrived."Hey, Ty, I faintly uttered while placing the drinks on the table. "I got you a burger. Your favorite, I think."He barely glanced at me. "Just put it beside me."I halted for a while and gazed at him. His voice wasn't that harsh, but there was something detached about it, like he didn't want to risk even the briefest contact with me. Like touching the bag if I handed it directly to him would scorch.I just set the burger and drink carefully be

"Girly, finally. You’re here!”I halted my walk when I saw Lily standing by the main gate in her clean uniform. I smiled at her and walked in her direction. “Hi, Lily. Have you been waiting for me for a while now?”“Not so. I’ve been here for like a minute,” she replied and gazed at the papers I was holding. “What are those for? Do we have any assignments or projects to be passed?”I shook my head. “No. These are the papers from the student council and I need to drop these off at the council office before the meeting starts," I responded while lifting the folder of documents I had sorted last night. "Are you coming with me?""Obviously," she uttered while falling into step beside me. "But seriously, you still haven't figured out why Ethan dumped all that paperwork on you out of nowhere?"I shook my head with a little sigh while adjusting my clasp on the folder. "I have no clue, girl. Maybe he finally remembered that I'm the assistant secretary and decided to treat me like one. This is

It was already a little late when Ethan and I arrived back at the condo. It was already a little past 9 PM, and my legs felt like jelly from sitting and working for hours straight. I really felt dizzy and sleepy now and I think I could pass out any moment. I hope not. Especially not with Ethan inside the elevator.When we arrived inside the condo, Jason was sitting at the dining table while some papers spread out in front of him and his glasses was perched on his nose. He looked up the moment we walked in, but his smile faded when he noticed that Ethan was already heading straight to his room with no greetings, no glances, or anything."Okay..." Jason muttered and sighed. "At this point, I'm starting to think it's just the two of us living here, pumpkin." He looked at me and chuckled as he leaned back in his chair. "You and me against the world, pumpkin roomie?"I just gave a tired smile and dropped my bag near the kitchen counter. "Actually, I just saw my phone, Jason," I muttered w

When we stepped out of the restaurant, I heaved a deep sigh and looked over the busy streets. The air smelled faintly of sweet pastries from a nearby cafe and car exhaust from the busy road. But all I felt was an ache from Ryan's betrayal. I gently hugged my arms around myself as we walked down the sidewalk while still trying to forget the heartbreaking scene that Regina and Ryan's celebration had left in my chest."Ugh. I'm sorry, I gotta go, guys,” Jason uttered while slowing down his pace. "I promised one of my mentors that I would assist with the med club's supply audit today. I totally forgot."I just gave him a tired smile. "It's okay, Jason. Thanks for the lunch. And for being there."He reached over and ruffled my hair playfully. "Always, pumpkin. You better get home safe, alright?""I will."After a few seconds when Jason left, Lily's phone also rang. She groaned the moment she saw the caller ID. "Damn girl, it’s Coach Anna. She's gonna kill me if I'm late again. We have a m

When Jason and I finally got home that evening, and I was just about to say something to Jason when I noticed them. Tyler and Ethan.Both of them were seated in the living room, one scrolling through his phone and the other glancing through papers on the coffee table. But the moment they looked up and saw us walk in together, the atmosphere shifted.Tyler's gaze met mine for half a second, it was just a flicker and then dropped back to his phone like I wasn't even there.Ethan didn't even bother to glance my way.Jason, bless his soul, tried to act normal. "Hey," he said while setting the paper bag with our leftovers on the counter. "We brought food if you guys haven't eaten yet."No answer.Jason frowned slightly. "Tyler? Ethan?"Still nothing.My smile faded, and I gently excused myself. "I'll just go to my room."Jason turned to me while his expression was apologetic, but I didn't wait to hear what he would say. I hastily walked down the hall, closed the door behind me, and leaned

"You have to go to the library with me. Now," Lily uttered. Her tone was unusually urgent.I raised an eyebrow. "The library? Why?""I don't know," she muttered while already pulling me toward the path. "I feel like I've seen that mark before. Maybe in a book or something my mom showed me. We might find something if we check the school archives, girl."I didn't argue.Part of me didn't want to chase down the mystery, not today, not when I already felt emotionally exhausted and had another major exam in less than an hour. But a larger part of me needed to understand. I needed to know why both Ethan and Tyler reacted so strongly. I needed to know what made my birthmark so strange.When we arrived at the library, I heaved a deep sigh. Lily and I might probably find something here today and I didn’t know if I would be glad or scared. Either way, I needed to do this.Lily walked over to the far section of the second floor, where the oldest books were stacked. Some dusty history books, loc