Desmond (Dessie) is a senior in high school and just happens to be the most popular girl in high school. She's cheer captain, student council president, the volleyball team's MVP and captain, anchor of the debate team, published author, and award winning artist. On top of that she's also a killer body and is drop dead gorgeous. What could possibly be wrong in her life? Well, she has dark heart breaking secrets that no one knows about. Having to pretend everyday that she's completely happy when she's broken on the inside is a constant daily struggle, but she's able to keep up the brave face, until one day it all breaks down.
Charlie is the playboy of high school. He's the football captain and quarterback. He's your typical jock: perverted annoying as hell and careless. However, he holds one of the biggest secrets ever that no one knows about. Being in the popular group with Dessie and her friends, he is constantly hanging around her and bugging the hell out of her. They're complete rivals.
One day when Charlie annoys Dessie to the limits, things quickly change. Secrets are uncovered, problems are created, and apologies are pushed away. What happens when Charlie is put into a position of apology, but Dessie gives him the cold shoulder. What happens when her friends start to notice their weird behaviour? What happens when they accidentally figure out each other's secrets? Will love start illuminating a place of darkness? Will feelings be reversed? Most of all, will Dessie and Charlie learn to be able to trust and love 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]]