In the heart of the Riviera, on the coast of The City of Angels, a dark, graceful figure tenuously makes her way across a wall of cinder blocks. In one swift leap she lands on the wet sand below.
She tilts her head up, breathes in the salty ocean air, and cautiously analyzes her surroundings. Her ears turn to listen to the the ocean's sounds. The air contains the mildly nostalgic fragrance of lilac. The pale moonlight pours into her vibrant, nearly ultraviolet eyes.
Most of the citizens near the oasis have retired for the night, all but one young person. He is still awake, alone in his downstairs bedroom, dreaming, and watching the palm trees sway in the light, underneath of the stars.
And as she returns to wandering along the coastline, she passes beside the complex of upper-middle class flats. Captivated by the one light left on, she alights on the window sill, and enters through the open window.
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]]