"When I tell you that he hates me, you'll probably assume it's because he's a jerk...but you'd be wrong. He's not a jerk. I am." --- Several years ago tragedy struck Emma's home, leaving her broken... like a cup with cracks spiraling and slithering around the edges. Slowly, bitterness crept in like tar, hardening between each fracture to resemble a deceitful wholeness. She became a monster, and targeted her venom on the sweetest person she could find: Trinity Nixon. Too bad the boy Emma longed for was Trinity's brother. Now, as Emma fights to win the heart of the boy who despises her, she's forced to hide her demons. She paints her fragile cup in pinks, yellows, and oranges - all the colors of the sun. She paints on a smile, and an unusual sense of humor, so that the world will view her as bright and cheerful, when in reality she's breaking. But she's completely unprepared for the acidic truth that melts away the tar, demolishing her shell, and awakening the Emma White buried deep inside. --- Book 1 in The Dismantled Pride series *Story was previously titled "Faking It"

FADE IN: A distraught Daveed comes into view. His eyes are glassy and he looks worn down to a frazzle. PRODUCER: How ya feelin', Daveed? DAVEED: How am I feeling? I'm feeling a little disappointed in everyone. Your show is a joke. He begins to take off his microphone. PRODUCER: Hold on for just a- DAVEED: No. I'm off this. He storms off set. FADE OUT. ~The original competition show fanfic~ I don't mind you getting inspiration from my story but remember to express your originality♡