The Sunshine Mind Novels & Stories

Hence, he made up some excuse to give me a way out. However, I didn't need one. From next door came the faint sound of a door closing. Calvin must have just come back from working out. Thinking about his pecs that I had leaned against earlier, I happily tossed my phone aside. I had a premium option available now. Why would I go back to a generic choice? … I sat beside Calvin as he skimmed through some documents. Resting my chin on my hand, I watched him and remarked, "They say a man is the most handsome when he's at work. Turns out it's true."

Clair turned the radio on and The Pine Ridge Boys 'you are my sunshine' poured out of the speakers. You are my sunshine, my only sunshine You make me happy when skies are grey You never know, dear, how much I love you Please don't take my sunshine away... Clair nodded her head in rhythm with the song's beat. She invested the volume. There was no hint of sun in the sky but her day looked brighter always. Clair smiled. ***

“Timothy, I’m asking you a question.” “Oh, were you asking me? Could you at least clarify who you were asking a question to? There’s so many of us here, so I can’t possibly tell who you’re speaking to.” Harmony felt like they were unfairly targeting her. Timothy proceeded to tell her, “Lynn Peterson. She’s the second daughter of Mr. Simon Peterson who used to play in a band with Uncle Dylan. She’s a mixed Celestria-Kasnian and is coming to Northtide to learn the cultural dance.”

He looked like he wanted to arrest the guy simply for existing. I tried to focus, shutting out the loud pop music blasting through the deck speakers and the constant sound of splashing water so I could catch the thoughts drifting around us. Unfortunately, all I found was noise. [God, look at the guy in the black shirt by the bar.] [Is he a model? Those arms are unreal.] [Please tell me that's his sister and not his girlfriend.] [I still have a chance.] I swallowed. I didn't need to be a professional mind reader to know those thoughts belonged to the group of women sitting at the table to our left.

"My son isn't dead. He was just abroad getting treatment. I have no idea who started those rumors..." Watching her lie without a trace of shame, I laughed out loud. She was the one who sent me overseas. She was the one who told everyone I was dead. She transferred my inheritance, my shares—everything—into Jake's name. She left me with nothing. My mother shot me a warning glare. And then the screen lit up. Photos and videos started playing one after another. Every single one showed what I'd been through. Electroshock. Medication. Bright white lamps shining in my eyes, trying to make me forget Emily.

Chapter 9 While I was driving to school the next morning, I was tempted to stop by the coffee shop, just to get coffee and donuts of course. Definitely not because I couldn’t stop myself from thinking about my exchange with Theodore last night or because I wonder if I would bump into him again before we see each other at school. No that would make me pathetic, and I am not pathetic. I have no idea as to why I couldn’t stop thinking about night skys and crickets or why I was desperately looking forward to being in school today. It was a monday. I should hate mondays. But I didn’t hate today. I was humming a song in the shower and I didn’t even argue with Cole at the breakfast table. I do not

I squinted and gave the bomb expert a half-smile. "There’s no need to waste time with words.” "Just do your thing, and quick." He nodded and got down to business with his tools. I licked my back teeth. Great. Now of all times I was dying for a smoke. The afternoon in Safrana? It was blazing hot. I had been standing in the blazing sun for what felt like an eternity, and it seemed like the sun was trying to cook me alive.

He leaned in closer, the deep timbre of his voice brushing against my ear. "Well, if it's someone like you, then maybe this doesn't seem so—" "No way!" My three brothers jumped in unison, cutting me off. "Huh? I actually—" "Yunice!" Jimmy interrupted sharply. "Didn't you say you wanted to join a production team? I've got a great script for you." "Forget about it," I said. "Money-making is way better than wasting time on some guy!" Donald didn't even flinch. "The most popular couple on the dating variety show stands a chance at securing a film role with none other than the international director, Mr. Mike," he said smoothly.

"There’s nothing wrong with it. It just faces north. It’s too cold. I want a south-facing room. It doesn’t matter if it’s smaller." I really was cold. The brain tumor had thrown off my body’s ability to regulate temperature. It felt like I was trapped in a freezer all the time. Only sunlight gave me even a hint of warmth. "Cold? Then turn on the A/C." Mom looked at me like I was being unreasonable. "The south-facing room is your Uncle Jonathan’s study. The other one is a storage room." "Then I’ll take the storage room." Her eyes widened. "Are you insane? You’re turning down a perfectly good guest room to live in a storage closet? Are you trying to make your Uncle Jonathan think I’m abusing y