Fortwood Academy: Owen Cross

Plot Summary

Plot Summary:
Owen Cross is the golden boy of Fortwood Academy—a star athlete with a charming smile and a seemingly perfect life. But despite his popularity and success, Owen feels trapped in a life built on other people's expectations. When a new girl, Ava Montgomery, arrives at Fortwood, she turns his world upside down. Ava is unlike anyone Owen has ever met—quiet, thoughtful, and uninterested in the spotlight. As Owen gets to know Ava, he starts to question everything he thought he wanted in life, and a deep connection begins to form between them. But with pressures from his family, his ex, and the demands of being the school's star, Owen finds himself torn between following his heart and living up to the expectations everyone has placed on him.

Main Characters:

Owen Cross
Role: The story's protagonist.

Personality: Confident, charming, and well-liked by everyone, but secretly struggling with the pressure of being perfect. Owen is the captain of the basketball team and has always been the golden boy of Fortwood Academy. His life is carefully curated to meet everyone's expectations—his parents', his coaches', and his friends'. But deep down, he longs for something real, something more than what his image projects.
Love Interest: Ava Montgomery.

Ava Montgomery
Role: The new girl and Owen's love interest.

Personality: Introverted, artistic, and quietly strong. Ava moves to Fortwood Academy for a fresh start after a family tragedy. She's not interested in popularity or fitting in and tends to keep to herself. When she crosses paths with Owen, she's intrigued by him, but also skeptical of his seemingly perfect life. Ava challenges Owen to see beyond the surface, making him question the person he's always been.

Conflict: Though she begins to fall for Owen, she's wary of getting involved with someone who lives in the spotlight, especially since she's trying to avoid attention after her past.

Jessica Hartley
Role: Owen's childhood friend and the girl everyone thinks he should be with.

Personality: Outgoing, confident, and popular, Jessica has known Owen since they were kids. She's always been there for him and has quietly harbored feelings for him. When Ava enters the picture, Jessica starts to realize that her feelings might never be reciprocated, and she's forced to confront her own emotions.

Conflict: Struggling between holding on to the hope that Owen will choose her and letting go of the past.

Logan Bennett
Role: Owen's best friend.

Personality: Laid-back, easygoing, and always ready to joke around, Logan has been by Owen's side through everything. Though he appears carefree, Logan is deeply loyal and protective of Owen, but he's not afraid to call him out when he's being reckless. Logan senses that Ava could be good for Owen but also worries about how their relationship might change the dynamics within their friend group.

Conflict: Juggling his loyalty to Owen and his growing friendship with Ava.

Dylan Rivera
Role: The bad boy of Fortwood.

Personality: Quiet, rebellious, and often misunderstood, Dylan is the opposite of Owen in every way. He's always been on the fringes of the social scene, and he doesn't care about being liked. Though he initially clashes with Owen, Dylan and Ava form a strange but strong connection over their shared love of art and their personal struggles.

Conflict: Dylan's connection with Ava threatens to complicate her relationship with Owen.