Perfectly Broken

Chapter 1

A/N: Hi. :) A few things about this story: 

-Despite how it starts, this is a Jake x MC story. Not to worry. ;) Trust.

-All of the rights to the artwork belong to this author. Please don't use it without asking me first.

-I'm going to put all the trigger/content warnings at the beginning here. Throughout the story, there are themes of abuse, both physical and emotional; sexual assault, consensual sex between minors, sex with dubious consent, sex featuring kinks/alternative sexual preferences, detailed descriptions of medical procedures, a suicide attempt, and a suicide.

In other words, this story is not suitable for impressionable audiences or those who might be triggered by any of those themes. If you've read my previous stories, you have a general idea of how it will go, but I definitely pushed things further than I have before. The beginning of this plot is quite dark compared to what I've written before. If any of these triggers might upset you, please take care of yourself and avoid this story. You can also contact me directly if you want to know more details or which chapters you might be better to avoid.

Lastly, I wanted this story to be more immersive. In order to more properly convey feelings, I'm including songs and pictures within the story, and not just in the header area. Let me know how you like it because it's extra work, but I don't mind if you all enjoy it.

OK, on with the show now. Happy reading. ;) 

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In a time of furtive sighs
sweet hellos and sad goodbyes
half-truths told and entire lies
my conscience echoes thunder.

-In A Time, Maya Angelou

Richy and Alina leaned against each other in the parking lot while they waited for the shuttle. He had his arms around her shoulders and kept kissing her. "You're so beautiful, Alina. I love you so much."

She giggled. "You're drunk."

"And? It doesn't mean that I forgot how I feel." He kissed her again and tasted the lager on her tongue. "I've felt this way for as long as I've known you."

Alina pushed on his chest and Richy stumbled a bit but held on to her. "You have not felt this way since kindergarten," she insisted.

"I have too," he replied, grinning in that way that always made her heart skip a beat. "And a year ago was our first date."

She smiled as the shuttle pulled up and they squeezed in with other people. "I didn't even realize it was a date. I thought you were asking me to hang out with everyone." Alina had grown up with Richy, Hannah, Cleo, and Dan. A few years after, Jessy came around, too. But the only one she'd really been close with was Richy. Then he'd asked her to come to the festival with him, but when he took her hand, she realized what he'd meant.

"I know." He put his arm around her shoulders as the shuttle bounced down the road toward the town square. "I was so nervous about even asking you, I didn't make it very clear. Plus your parents said you couldn't go on dates until high school, so I guess I fudged a bit." He shrugged, embarrassed.

Alina was starting to get nervous when the shuttle stopped. They exited and stood in the square for a minute, and she realized Richy appeared uneasy, too. "Do you still want...to come over?" He asked hopefully.