I would like to compare myself to Cinderella. Except my Prince Charming isn't charming at all. He's more of a jerk, being the captain of the football team. My mother didn't disappear out of my life, she left willingly and didn't look back. My "Ugly Stepsisters" weren't ugly at all. On the outside. On the inside, they were cruel, heartless, bleached-blonde twin barbie dolls who lived off of popularity. You wouldn't call them prostitutes because you could never tell from their impeccable platinum blonde hair and nice clothes. Oh and did I mention that they had a matching stepmom with a heart of stone?
You're probably also wondering, where's my dad to be my knight in shining armor? At work, which is what I'd answer because he's a real estate agent with clients all over America. I had no fairy godmother to whip up some magic for my life, only my crazy best friend Ivy, who would act on whims and do insane things for no reason.
My name isn't Cinderella or even Ella for that matter. It was Ashleigh, or as my lovely stepsisters would say, Ash. But Cinder and Ash go hand in hand don't they?
This is my fairytale and in the 21st Century, short of magic, there isn't going to be any happily-ever-after anytime soon.
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.
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