Novels by Fayton

A week had passed since the fight at the basketball court and the ongoing suspension of Kevin. Coach was forced to strip the captaincy from him because things were spiraling; the locker room was a powder keg, and Kevin was the match.Coach eventually alerted us to how he'd pick the new leadership: a scrimmage. No politics, no popularity contests, just ball. The players he deemed fit would be chosen, and there wouldn't be any room for complaints. I was a wreck. What if another Kevin stepped in? I wasn't ready for another season of looking over my shoulder for racist slurs or 'accidental' elbows to the ribs.I was currently in the empty girl's locker room, pulling on my jersey for the friendly match when, as usual, the doors burst open. I didn't even have to look up."If it isn't the mixed-race freak," Margaux spat, her arms folded tight as she tried to loom over me.I chuckled. I couldn't help it. She was so predictable. I raised a brow when she looked confused. "How original, Marg

A full month had passed since I started at Red Lodge High, and I was already drained. Most of the student body were racist pricks, and while their comments stung, I never let it show. I'd also finally learned the name of the girl who'd tried to humiliate me in the cafeteria. Margaux Dubois. Her name was just as overly dramatic as she was. Margaux and her circle took turns tormenting me every chance they got. I had to be increasingly careful, especially in PE. Just last week in the locker room, I was two seconds away from taking off my trousers when a group of girls walked in. If they saw what was between my legs, I'd probably be dragged out and burned at the stake. This town felt like it was stuck in the 1700s. Currently, I was at basketball practice. The coach looked like he'd swallowed a lemon when I showed up for tryouts, and he almost didn't let me on the court. But, surprise, I made the team anyway. I just hadn't been put in an actual game. Being a benchwarmer also

The morning came too fast. I spent an extra ten minutes in the shower, the hot water a poor attempt to stall the inevitable. If I ditched the first day, my father would have my head, and I'd already been through enough drama to last a lifetime.After stepping out, I pulled on a sports bra and matching boxers. I stood in my walk-in closet, staring at my options before settling on a dark blue denim jacket, a slightly lighter shade of jeans, and a white t-shirt. I made sure to clasp the pendant Mom gave me for my thirteenth birthday. She'd said she would be with me whenever I wore it. I hadn't really been listening then, but I was clinging to the thought now.I pulled my curls up into a tight bun; they were getting longer than I liked. After sliding on my black Jordan Air Force 1s, I checked the mirror. I grabbed my backpack and shoved my wallet into my back pocket, nearly forgetting deodorant before doing a quick 180 to spray a cloud of it.I headed for the garage and found Marcus al

The plane ride felt incredibly short, mostly because I spent it drifting in and out of a restless sleep. When the wheels finally touched down, I felt a heavy thud in my chest. Montana.I'd thought people were exaggerating when they talked about the Rocky Mountains, but I was properly humbled. The air was crisp, and the peaks were jagged against the sky, exactly like in the photos Mom used to keep hidden in her jewelry box. It was beautiful, and for a split second, the grief didn't feel quite so heavy.As the plane came to a halt, the pilot announced our arrival. I caught Marcus glancing at one of the flight attendants-a lingering, uncharacteristic look. In the midst of my own mess, seeing a spark of life in someone else felt like a lifeline."Go," I said softly, nudging his shoulder. He looked at me, instantly alert, his professional mask snapping back into place. "Get her number. I'll wait outside.""Ms. Alvarez, that's not-""It's okay, really. Just go." I didn't wait for his p

My sleep was cut short by a vigorous shove. My eyes snapped open, instantly alert."Huh? What is it?" My brain was still foggy from the few hours of sleep I'd managed to catch."Remington...I-I don't know how to say this," Sarah said. She was fighting back tears, her voice trembling. And she called me by my full name. She never does that.Anxiety spiked in my chest as I sat up. "Sarah, please. Tell me what's wrong."She pulled me into a hug, finally sobbing. "Your mom...she's at the hospital. I got a call. She was in an accident."The blood ran cold in my veins. Mom. Accident. Hospital. The words looped in my head like a broken record as I scrambled for my sweater and shoes. "Let's go. Tell me which hospital on the way."The drive was eerily quiet. We were both on edge, shifting in our seats as if they were made of fire. The second we arrived, I sprinted to the front desk. "Sofia Alvarez," I called out. The nurse told me she was in the ICU and pointed me toward where my father was

Parties were never my thing.They were weird. Why would anyone willingly put themselves in a room that reeked of cheap alcohol, sweat, and unadulterated sex? The thought alone sent shivers up my spine. But here I was, pushing through the house of our school's surprisingly tolerable quarterback, Wolf Hart.I was already considering ditching, but I'd promised my best friend I'd stick around. I was her ride, after all."Do you see him?" I asked. My eyes darted around the room, growing more impatient with every second spent in the heat of the house.Sarah shook her head, a frown etched into her forehead. "No. I just hope he didn't lie to me. He promised he'd be here."Meet Sarah, the one person who's been by my side since preschool. She was practically the sister I never had; I'd do anything for her. The boy she was searching for was her boyfriend, Zach, and I couldn't stand the sight of him. I seriously had no idea what she saw in that asshole."Come on, let's check the backyard," I s