It all started with a dare, but then again, most love stories do, don't they?
*****
When my best friend convinced me, practically bribed me, to wave at that camera, I knew something was going to happen. After all, signing at a mall security camera? Something was bound to happen, even if the guy on the other end was asleep and had donut crumbs clinging to the corners of his mouth. I pushed down that fear though, and went right ahead, after all I wouldn't let some obese security cop fall in love with me. That was then though, and now? Now I wonder if I should have thought it over more, should've wondered about the consequences, should've not watched so many comedy and horror movies. Maybe I should've actually paid attention when my friends popped in one of their cliché chick flicks. Because really, what experience do I have in love? None. And when it comes to drop dead gorgeous guys? I'm basically screwed.
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]]