Charlotte van der Wellington has the perfect life. Good grades, a loving family, and a lot of cash to burn. And Charlotte is especially excited because today, her old best friend Braeden and his family are coving over to discuss Braeden and Charlotte becoming boyfriend and girlfriend, and eventually, even marrying. She's sure that after four years across America, he's even smarter and cuter than before, and will sweep her off her feet.
However, when things don't go as planned at the party, and Charlotte wakes up under a bridge with her younger siblings, she must turn to a strange boy named Parker who shows up in his rusty, red pick-up truck for help. At first, he seems rude and obnoxious, but over time, Charlotte thinks there may be something more.
Together, they must find their way back to the van der Wellington penthouse, and then figure out who kidnapped Charlotte and her siblings before they strike again.
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]]