I wanted him to kiss me. More than anything. But when he fixed those dark eyes upon me, I didn't know if I could bear the way he looked into my soul—

You blink in confusion as the book you're reading fades away, replaced by the bright orange logo of Wattpad HQ.

A screen appears, and the camera zooms in on a middle-aged, bespectacled anchorman. He holds a sheet of paper in his hands and reads from it, intermittently glancing up at you through the screen of your phone.

"I'm Han Handerson, and this is WP News. We apologise for interrupting your reading, but Wattpad Headquarters have decided to suspend all books to share this very important message."

You frown, your mind still lingering on the pulse-racing scene of Chasing Red you were reading only moments ago.

Han loosens his tie, eyes someone or something off-camera, and focuses on you again.

"It has been brought to our attention that Wattpeer Reviews, by @theemmpress and RainerSalt , have released the shortlist of candidates for round three of their unique critique service. Here it is."

He looks into the camera. Nothing happens. His smile freezes. A gleam of perspiration appears on his forehead.

"Can we have the list, please?" he says without taking his eyes from you.

His face is replaced by a white screen with black writing. It's the mighty, the celebrated shortlisted!

The Catalyst by @VenomousKitsune

If We Exist by @Yano_Ism

Crossing the Silver Thorns by @Quillworks

The Myriad Chronicles | Book One: The Reader by @FayLane

Magic's Minister by @Ellowyne

Midnight by @Cross-Warrior

Blood Prejudice by @nai_za

Dark Tidings by @KenMagee

The Key To Ruling A Broken Kingdom by @Inkfriend

The Talisman by @ESJohnson

Valkyrie by @MiloMaia

The Blade by @Reffster

Devil in the Details by @Bdicocco

Starlight's Heir by @Katieishere

The anchorman's voice continues offscreen. "These are the books that made it into the shortlist, in order of application."

The list fades into a photograph of the two well-known critics sitting—handsome and attractive—on a red sofa.

The anchorman clears his throat. "@theemmpress and @RainerSalt have issued the following communiqué:

"Dear world of Wattpad,

"We were thrilled and overwhelmed by the many outstanding entries submitted for round three of Wattpeer Reviews. We'd love to review them all, but we simply can't. Therefore, we have set up a shortlist for further scrutiny.

"In a next step, we will have a closer look at each one of the shortlisted books and chose a handful of winners, which we will review. The results will be announced later this month."

The photograph of your favourite critics dissolves and is replaced by the far more boring face of Han the anchorman. He's picking his nose.

An offscreen voice hisses at him, "Han, you're live."

He extricates his pinkie and looks at you.

"Er... yes. So that was the shortlist of round three of Wattpeer Reviews. Congratulations to everyone who made it! We're extremely excited to see the winners.

"This was Han Handerson from WP News with a special message to all readers. And now, we'll switch your screen back to the book you were reading."

Han nods at you. Then he gives you an awkward stare. "Fade!" he whispers from the corner of his mouth.

He fades.

Chasing Red reappears. Relieved, you continue to read.