What if negative thoughts controlled your entire life? A sample entry for To The Bone's 'Mind Over Matter' contest.

Poppy Rose's life changed six years ago when her mother died in an accident caused by her. After grief, blame, depression and suicide attempts came a difficult case of selective mutism. Now, at eighteen, she refuses to speak due to the shame she felt for being responsible. However, things take a turn for the worst when she comes back to school for her senior year. Her life changes when a specific adult comes into the picture, a man who had no intentions of creating a problem. But the fact is, he's her teacher, as well as her cross country coach.