washed_away
There was once a land of love and plenty. Happy loving parents, a brother who protected and cared and a dog that could solve major world issues with a tail wag. But for Anya life was a drag. She was dissatisfied and pained by all that she didn't have. All of sixteen, she wanted to be allowed to go to parties and concerts but her super religious parents were against all that. She wasn't allowed a car, wasn't allowed sleepovers and wasn't allowed out of the house after dark. Life felt like a loving, caring jail with her parents playing the role of the devoted wardens. The only silver lining was that her brother was treated no different. He had the same restrictions and the same curfews. Say what you will about her parents, at least they weren't biased. The other two days of sunshine in her life were here dog Boxy and her best friend Nadiya. All else was just a sham she couldn't wait to break out of.
Aaron was the new boy at school and Anya's new neighbour. He was the only son of a single mother. The two of them were each other's strength against the world. For Aaron, the world revolved around his mother. Through many a hardship and pain, she had been the one constant in his life. They had seen the darkest of days together and he appreciated the blessing of every new sunrise. So when he saw the spoilt rich girl next door whine about her perfect life, all he felt was contempt. He kept his head down and tried for the best grades so he could give his mom every comfort she had ever wanted.
What happens when Aaron's past begins to catch up with him? Will Anya be able to face her first look at the real world and all that it holds? And will a day come when they reminisce fondly about the way they were?