What Do You - La série

Claire I believed I had my future all planned out. College, track, friends, I mean, why wouldn't I? I was a nineteen-year-old girl in college with a dream of being an Olympian that wasn't too far within reach as a college top track star. A jeep I could roll the windows down while the radio blasted as I sang off-key. My own dorm that gifted me privacy from my two triplet brothers. I had it all. But just like many, I took it all for granted. That's until my life turned upside down, and everything changed. I nearly became one more lost soul. Without the love of my family, friends, and a very charming soccer player, I would've truly lost myself in the process. This is my story and how I began to see beyond what's right in front of me. Funny, all I had to do was open my eyes. The only problem is time. ​ Jake lived a life never truly paying attention to the world around me. I had my dad, my grams, and my soccer ball. I was perfectly fine with the way I lived life. Why grow attached to things that can walk away? That's until I saw her. The girl I never thought I would find--the one who made me see in a different perspective. ​Oh, and how beautiful it is.

Cole Regrets, I have many in my life, but the top two regrets haunt me every day. One is the future I stole from my sister, Claire, because of a car accident I caused. The second? Grace. I was six years old when I met the love of my life. I didn’t know. How could I? After years of my life being filled with Grace, grace itself became my regret. My sister always said, “The past doesn’t always stay where it should.” And damn, she was right. My past is staring right at me. Golden eyes, slick blood-red hair, killer body, and a shy smile. A smile that was once mine, and mine alone. Grace now lives in the same apartment building, attends the same university, and is friends with my siblings. She came back into my life for a second time. I should walk away, just like she once had. Regrets. Is it possible to regret the same person twice? Grace Living on an island, they always preach about the power of the sea. The hazards of the riptide. But my riptide was too much for me to fight, and the current never slowed. So, I went away. Away from him. Cole. My shore. Three years ago, strangers broke me with their hateful words. They didn’t even know me. But I was weak. It’s true. People could destroy you with words—in this case, a sex tape. A single video managed to ruin my reputation—my self-worth—and my soul drowned along with it. After my family isolated me, keeping me away from the aftermath, I left my safe-haven and decided to go to college. My soul knows he’s here, too. It’s been three years, but now I’m stronger.

𝐋𝐢𝐚𝐦 Family, soccer, and friends, it’s what I’m best at. And after Lucy left seven months ago, it’s all I’ve focused on. The last year of college is here, and aside from soccer, I don’t know what I want. Especially after screwing my best friend, the girl with ripped jeans, Doc Martens, and a spicy attitude. Since then, Vanessa’s attitude isn’t the only thing spicing up between us either. Do I take the risk, knowing I could lose my best friend? Or stay friends and miss out on the greatest love of my life? I’m bound to screw something up. After all, I’m Liam Raynolds. 𝐕𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚 I’m always hiding under my laptop or books, bidding in digital currency, hacking, or getting lost with the month’s current read, anything to keep everyone at an arm’s length and my armor intact from becoming someone’s second in life. Because somehow, I always am. And the last thing I expected as an international student was finding a best friend who easily chipped away and closed that distance without a trail. I never planned for Liam; it just happened. I know what I want, but the clock is ticking, and once I graduate in the fall, I’ll be gone. Decisions need to be made. But who’s flipping the coin?

From the Characters of the What Do You series comes a standalone short story about hope, happiness, and love. Austin I like to tag and run. But lately, all my friends are finding love. And I keep running, wondering if I ever will. Then fall came, and I see my finish line. But this time, I want to run in circles and make it last. At least long enough for a next time. Terra I like to meet and leave. Not worried about finding love. Instead, I run away because love is a fool's word for deceit. But I never expected him. And this time, I don't think I will be able to walk away from the promise of a next time––with him.