Marissa Allen stepped off the plane and took a deep breath of the fresh country air. She had left the city behind for a while, hoping to find some peace and rest in her hometown. The constant hustle and bustle of city life had worn her down, and she needed a break.
But as soon as she arrived at her childhood home, memories flooded her mind. Memories of an old flame, one that she thought she had left behind. She tried to push those thoughts aside and focus on the present, but it was hard.
A few days into her stay, Marissa decided to take a walk around the neighborhood. As she strolled along the streets, lost in her thoughts, she suddenly heard a familiar voice.
"Yeah. I actually saw you but, I was too much of a coward back then." It was him. The man she had tried so hard to forget. She turned around and saw him standing there, looking at her with a small smile on his face.
He started listing the events of that day years ago, when they had a big fight before he left the city. Marissa remembered it all too well. She had left the apartment to cool off, not wanting to be around him anymore.
"You were really upset with me," he said. "But when I saw you, you still managed to have a smile on your face despite everything that happened that day."
Marissa felt her heart race as memories flooded her mind. She had tried so hard to forget him, but seeing him again made all those feelings come rushing back.
They talked for a while, catching up on old times. It was clear that they still had feelings for each other, but Marissa was hesitant. She didn't want to get hurt again.
As they said goodbye, Marissa knew that she would have to make a decision. Was she ready to welcome back an old flame? Or had the bridges been burnt between them for good? Only time would tell.
Sequel to Camping Fling
Ella is falling apart trying to live a "perfect" high school life. Then she meets Ren, who can see past her scars. Suddenly perfection isn't her only option.
*****
Ella Volkov is a gifted music student, but she's depressed and starting to crack under the pressure of high school. Her overbearing father won't even let her choose what instrument she plays. Then she finds herself alone at a party with Ren, her best friend's crush. She'd always thought he was rude, but after that night he's all Ella can think about. Now she's trapped. If Ella dates Ren, it will ruin her friendship with Jenny. But if she stays true to Jenny, she's losing the one person who can see past her scars. It's up to Ella to decide if she will forge her own path, or stay in the "perfect" box designed for her...
Content and/or Trigger Warning: depression, anxiety, self-harm, violence, sexual assault.
[[word count: 50,000-100,000 words]]