Fifteen-year-old African American Eiliana was born and raised in Brooks County, Georgia, also known as a "church girl," from her Christian background and family, but she is just like any other teenager, going through puberty, discovering herself; developing relationships, and dealing with common conflicts.
All her life she has been taught to honor God and live by the Bible, but it becomes a challenge when she meets Zahra, a young, nonreligious; carefree, Cuban-American girl her age from Florida who moves into town right next door.
Despite their belief differences, the two develop a friendship that turns into something more when they both discover romantic feelings for each other that leaves Eiliana questioning herself, sexuality, and her place with God. Afraid of being shunned by her religious family, she tries her best efforts to keep it a secret, but not long before the truth is uncovered and their relationship is jeopardized.
~Cover designed by: Author
Highest Rankings
#5-Mean Parents
#8-Being Yourself
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]]