His world will consume her. | She will make him weak.
Claire Raymond is an all-star athlete, who constantly feels the need to prove herself. After her older sister, Mia, was placed in rehab, she feels the need to strive even harder for perfection so that no one could see how much she blamed herself. During her senior year of high school, she is pushed beyond her limits, both physically and emotionally when she befriends the newly returned student who carries dark secrets of his own.
Barrett James returns to his hometown, after being recruited by the Count, a man who runs the Fighting Box and underground drug trade downtown. The troubled eighteen year old, knew exactly what he was in for, and was prepared to take on the responsibly as the Counts right-hand man, even if it was a path for self-destruction. While living this secret life, he finds comfort in his friendship with Claire.
How long can the two live separate lives before dark secrets begin to surface? Will the two be able to escape each other, or will they remain still tangled together?
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]]