Growing up in a toxic environment, sixteen-year-old Jay Foster has always had psychological problems, coupled with a quick temper. But one night something happens which finally pushes him over the edge, and as a result, he leaves his house the next morning with two things: his mother's gun and a plan.
Living with a neglectful and drug addicted mother wasn't easy for Jay, and it definitely didn't help that his father abandoned the family while he was still a child. He harbored a hatred toward his parents, and that hatred extended to almost everyone and everything around him, producing a very troubled and damaged young kid.
As Jay enters high school, he becomes very intrigued with one of his classmates. Kind of obsessed, actually. Her name: Mikayla Keeler. Mikayla is very unique, and like Jay, she doesn't seem to fit in with her contemporaries. Instead, the two of them keep each other company, and their friendship very quickly escalates into a romantic and intimate relationship.
Despite having Mikayla, Jay's troubles continue to burden him. He and Mikayla are fighting habitually, his home life is still unbearable, and his time at school is hardly any better, made worse by a bully named Calvin. Their mutual dislike of one another leads to a lot of hostility, routinely leading to Jay being sent to his school's principal. One confrontation in particular goes much too far, resulting in Jay's expulsion from school.
With everything seemingly piling up, Jay is very close to his breaking point, and late one night he is blindsided by the unthinkable, pushing him much too far and effectively planting in his mind a cruel and horrific plan for revenge.
"Not screwing as in ongoing. It was a one time... or two time thing," I cringe at how slutty that makes me sound. "I was a little drunk... the second time. Whatever, the details aren't important because it's not going to happen again."
"Twice? Honestly Mack, I thought you were better than to fall for his shit. I've watched him churn through women, fuck em and dump em. I know he's my boss but he isn't a good guy! And you work with him too! Scarlett was one thing, but now he's got you both in his bed!"
Note to self, don't tell Tristan that neither time was in a bed and we only had sex once. You know what, let's just keep the details to the bare minimum, he can fill in whatever blanks he wants to.
****
Mackenzie has been living a life for everyone else, mainly her long term high school boyfriend. She doesn't seem to know who she is anymore, what she wants, or how to stand up for herself.
When she starts a new job she never expected to meet people like Tristan, Scarlett and Alex. People who changed her life, encouraged her to be herself and chase her own dreams. These friendships help to heal her heart, but could they turn to something more?