"My name is Avery Fields, and I'm sixteen years old. I might not be outgoing, or interesting, or particualrly friendly. But you can't judge a book by its cover. I know that may sound cheesy, but it's true. You don't know me or my story, so don't judge me. I don't trust a lot of people because of past issues, but I'm starting to open up to some people, like my best friend/neighbour, sixteen year old Dustin Hamilton. He's been my friend since the first time I met him, but he finally figures out what makes me "me" now."
"My name is Dustin Hamilton, and I'm sixteen years old. I'm more social than Avery is, but we're still best friends. She's always been able to tell me everything, and I've always told her my biggest secrets. She knows things that I don't even tell my parents. She knows everything about me, and I thought I knew everything about her... except for her biggest secret. She's always trusted me, but never enough to tell me this. I understand "her" now. It all makes sence."
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]]