Forbidden things are like a beautiful hypnotizing magnet. Once you get pulled in, it's hard to pull back. But maybe I liked being pulled in, especially if it was by her.

"She's fucking weird and different than us" she said laughing. It made me so angry. I wanted to punch her but she was right in some way. "You know what? You're right, she's different" I said and she nodded her head "exactly" "She's different because she's better than all of us" --- This story will include: -detailed sexual content -sexual assault -mental health issues -drugs, weed, alcohol etc. -family issues

A stranger to her own existence, Kayla moves to a small town with the hope of finding comfort in a fresh start. But as she steps inside the unfamiliar classroom on the first day, standing in front of the class is a mysteriously familiar face, one that rouses memories of a time she believed had gone by. With past baggage catching up in the most intrusive ways, she stumbles upon unexpected comfort of friendship, unconditional love of found family, and a beautiful yet complicated bond between two hesitant souls. "This book was like a warm hug, and I might believe in love again." "I would give everything, especially my soul, to have the opportunity to read this book for the first time again." ────── CW: Substance abuse, harsh language, sexual content, mention of self-harm and suicide. ────── Started in January 2018. Re-published in November 2022. First draft finished in April 2023. ────── Copyright 2018 © Renee Steinberg All rights reserved. This work may not be reproduced, copied, translated, or republished in any form without the author's permission, except for brief quotations or reviews with proper credit.