"At a masquerade ball, everyone wears a mask to cover up their identity and make them more appealing to others. In reality, everyone wears a mask, but it's invisible. Not to be seen by anyone. Sometimes they feel trapped in their own body as the pressure of the world builds up only making the fear increase. The only option left is to keep the fake mask on too scared to let people know the truth of themselves- hiding their true identity. In reality: we are the monsters that we feared when we were children, but we'll never admit it because reality is the key to the monster."
On the outside, life for Isabella was perfect as everyone would say, but little did people know that her life was far from perfect. She took each day by day not knowing what the mother earth was going to throw at her. Alone, heartbroken and scared she still smiles through the pain every day not letting it get to her.
She was the go-to-girl for help or advice on anything, as she would sit there, listen, and not judge them. She didn't even need to know their whole life story to help them. Now, when the school's golden boy came to her asking for help never in a million years did she think he would seek her help. Usually it's advice on a break up, family problems, but never what the golden boy asked her help for, did Bella imagine doing.
With only three quarters of an academic year left, Bella and Luke have to flip his life around in order to follow someone else's steps. Bella starts finding her true inner self out, while Luke starts loosing himself. For both of them they attempt their first of things they've never done before. But can they handle the pressure, life and the changes?
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]]