After an incident three months ago and her parent's divorce, Reina Caverly finds a way to cope: cutting herself. Her mother's a workaholic, her sister is an out of control teenage girl, and her dad disappeared from the face of the planet. She can't even tell her two best friends, Joshua and Megan, about her problems. Then she meets young and mysterious Calvin Young about to commit suicide by jumping from her school's rooftop which surprised Reina. He's rich; he's handsome for his age, and does well at school, so why? Why would someone who has everything want to kill himself? Everyone has a dark secret, even Calvin who seems to have the world. Can Reina and Calvin learn to speak up about their issues? Can they find their reasons to live? ______ "One day you'll leave me. You don't want a girl with a rape story," I said as I desperately tried to stop my sobs and hiccups. "You deserve someone who is prettier and more stable then me." "Mon ange ," he whispered to me lightly as he held my tear-stained face. I looked at him and my breath shortened as I met his intense look. "I don't want anyone else," he said, "because I just want you." ______ WARNING: Story contains rape, self-harm, and suicidal ideation.

Rosswen Blake has never had it easy but she tries not to let it get in her way. She can't. Not since she's the one keeping the bullies at bay. Set in a typical high school, "the Jerk" focuses on the effects and consequences that bullies have on their victims, and shows that there isn't just one type. Real bullying experiences have been incorporated into the story, and I thank those who were brave enough to let me share them. "The boy you punched in the hall today. Committed suicide a few moments later. That girl you called a slut in class today. She's a virgin. The boy you called lame. He has to work every night to support his family. That girl you pushed down the other day. She's already being abused at home. That girl you called fat. She's starving herself. The old man you made fun of cause of the ugly scars. He fought for our country. The boy you made fun of for crying. His mother is dying. You think you know them. Guess what? You DON'T!" Above is the inspiration that gave me the spark to write this story. :) Cover by: @CrazyTurkey