Behind A Smile [Wattys 2023]

Smile
smī(-ə)l | noun | A facial expression in which the eyes brighten and the corners of the mouth curve slightly upward. But sometimes its facade.

Kaja O'Conner is everything. She's your best friend, a bubbly jock, a cheerleader at state games, a quiet and studious student, and an asshole. But behind that smile is a broken girl who needs a hand to hold and arms to catch when she falls.

Nat Stirling is tired. He's tired of his mom coming home tipsy, he's tired of missing his dad, he's tired of having two uteruses, and just wants to be heard.

When the universe pushes them together, quiet punk Nat can't help but be captivated by Kaia. Or was it Kaja? He can't remember. The only thing he cares about is how alive she makes him feel. And he wants to keep it that way.

[Rankings]
#1 in WeAreAllHuman
#2 in TeenRomance
#3 in HeartFelt & BitterSweet endings
#4 in BraveTogether