Incandescent

Opal and Leila, two inseparable friends, grew up as neighbors with an unbreakable bond. However, their families held them back. Leila's conservative, strict Christian family cared for her, while Opal's parents were absent and didn't care about their five children. Opal was the oldest and took on the role of mother figure for her siblings, even when she had to wake up early to mop, broom, and clean.

Opal suffered PTSD and depression due to the pain she experienced from her absent parents and the struggle to be independent at a young age. Leila was Opal's therapist when things got bad, but one day, on Leila's 16th birthday, she lost control of her car and crashed, causing her father's death. Her mother blamed Leila daily for her father's death, and one day, she overdosed on sleeping pills.

On the day of Leila's funeral, Opal drove out of their small town and started a new life with her scholarship at UC Berkeley. However, she was accidentally misplaced with her dorm roommates, five hockey boys and one figure skater. Opal's life changed when she was introduced to her dorm roommates, who were five hockey boys and one figure skater.

The book raises awareness for mental health and suicide awareness, but it is important to understand that it is a sensitive topic and many people cannot handle it.

-Aria