Meet Corliss Archer #1

In "Puppy Love," Corliss Archer grapples with teenage frustration when her mother denies her a movie outing until she finishes an essay—prompting her to write a sharp, resentful piece about her mom. After watching her dog care for her newborn puppies, Corliss finds herself moved by the quiet devotion, leading her to rewrite the essay with newfound understanding.

Corliss finds herself bored out of her mind on a quiet night at home—her parents won't budge on a movie, and the porch (or "rumpus room," as she'd prefer to call it) feels about as lively as a hermit's cave. When Dexter Franklin shows up with his own tale of parental grumbling, Corliss hatches a plan to have a little fun at his expense, leading to a moment under the stars that neither of them quite expected.

In "Kiss and Make-up," Dexter convinces Raymond to craft a special face powder as a gift for Corliss, but when Raymond misreads the recipe, the result turns out far more explosive than expected—literally. The story unfolds with a mix of humor and charm as the well-meaning gesture spirals into a sticky, sticky mess.

Chris Cross is on his way to the biggest dance of the season with Jill, but a series of mishaps keeps leaving him dirtier and messier before they even arrive. Between torn coats, spilled mustard, and run-ins with strangers, Chris's evening spirals into chaos—and Jill's patience wears thinner by the minute. When a moment of unexpected heroism changes everything, Chris discovers that sometimes the messiest night can lead to the sweetest ending.