clownycoffiny
Kathia Price, a 16-year-old girl, recounts her struggles with trust and relationships, shaped by the betrayals of a former best friend, Marie, and a boy named Roy. The tension with Marie, based on a real-life event from the author's experience, mirrors the heartbreak of a toxic friendship. Marie often dismissed Kathia's boundaries and, when confronted, lashed out with cruel accusations, calling her a "bitch" and a "traitor." This betrayal left a lasting impact, forcing Kathia to navigate the guilt and emotional fallout of stepping away from the friendship.
Feeling isolated, Kathia turns to smoking as a form of control and escape. Her fractured high school life begins to shift when she meets Kai, a quiet and introspective new student. Kai, grappling with his own struggles after moving to a new town and feeling out of place, gradually becomes a source of stability for Kathia.
The story unfolds as the two bond over their shared sense of detachment from society. Kai frequently seeks Kathia's company after personal struggles, including breakups, and finds comfort in her presence. Kathia's mother allows him into their home, creating a space for the two teens to find solace in each other. Their relationship becomes a tender exploration of how two broken individuals can navigate their pain together. Kathia, with her fractured family life and disorders like autism, and Kai, with his difficulties adjusting to his new life, both learn to cope with their realities while finding meaning in their companionship.