(Not Rated "R") Her name is Aaliyah, just call her Liyah (Pronounced Lie-uh). So there's this guy... yes, this is a romance. He's her best friend and she happens to have a huge crush on him. Yet, hes so oblivious that he doesn't seem to notice (Guys, right?) Shes shy, kinda nerdy but in a cute way, shes a little on the heavy side but who cares? Well, she does. She hates how shy she is, how she doesn't have any confidence and how she doesn't get noticed, by anyone! Not even family (Crazy!) So, shes decided to change herself into a "better her" but not because of her crush, shes doing this for herself! So, she follows the rules of her cousins book "My Guide to Popularity, Vol. 1" She has no idea whats in store for her but shes willing to try to stay for the ride. Will she be able to transform herself from a "No-Confidence-Nerd" to a "Popular-Sexy-Girl"? Whenever you follow the rules of the guide to popularity, there's no telling how you'll end up... (I'm creating the "My Guide to Popularity: Vol 1" Rule Book that the character is reading from when this story is complete!)
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]]