Mark Carson

Reckless Nights, Wild Beating Hearts The dean was screaming at me, but I was still nursing the hangover I had from throwing last night's pool party. Sure, it was a bad idea to break into the university’s pool and throw a party, but I didn’t care. They say I’m reckless, wild and impossible to tame. My cold, distant exterior keeps everyone at an arm’s length, but beneath it all, I know I’m the guy everyone’s talking about. With my rich parents never bothering to give me the love I craved, I learned early on that the only way to get noticed was to push the limits. Now, I’m the heartthrob of the school, turning heads as I walk down the halls, each step leaving a trail of crushed hearts behind me. But my reckless streak finally caught up with me after last night. I’ve been given one last shot, the school’s sanity on the line and my parents' money. I’ve got two years to prove I’m more than just a troublemaker by housing a scholarship student. And to my surprise, my parents agreed. When I opened the door, I was expecting some arrogant, dorky, frumpy kid, someone dull and predictable. But when our eyes met, I was completely caught off guard. You stood there, shyly tucking a strand of hair behind your ear, petite, reserved, almost fragile, your eyes hid stories I want to understand, then you opened your mouth. “Well, are you planning on standing here all day, Mr heartthrob? I don’t bite… unless you’re into that kind of thing.” I push the door open as my mind scrambled to catch up. “You’re the scholarship student?” you look at me from over your shoulder. “Wow, you don’t miss a beat.” In that moment, I knew this was the real test. Can I keep my reckless streak in check, or will you unravel the side of myself I’ve been hiding? One thing’s for sure: you’re not at all what I expected. And maybe, just maybe, you’re exactly what I need.