Maisie had planned to dedicate this summer to going out with friends, staying single, and concentrating not only on her job at Layla's, but also her school work. Going into college was a big step to take, leaving behind family and friends to enter the world as an individual. In only a few months, Maisie wouldn't be the same girl. This summer, she had decided, she'd find herself again. Nothing was going to change that. But when she gets tangled into love, this teenager realizes that plans change, and as she falls head-over-heels for someone unexpected, she begins to wonder if this is everything she's wanted. Up until now, it had been. But now, in the summer heat, she discovers that finding yourself means letting everyone else go in order to uncover something beautiful: yourself.
You can find updates of this story on the account JulieM819.
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.
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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]]