This Side of Perfect

Avery has spent his entire senior year playing the part. The part of the good friend, the quiet one, the guy who's just happy to be in the background. But the truth? Avery's been secretly in love with his best friend, Jordan, for years. Jordan's straight, dating Maya, and has absolutely no idea. And Avery? He's stuck in the closet, terrified of losing everything if anyone finds out. So, he just pretends-pretends it's fine, pretends he's okay, and pretends his feelings aren't eating him alive.

But then Emma moves to town.

She's everything Avery isn't-outgoing, bold, and totally uninterested in fitting into anyone's idea of "normal." Suddenly, everyone-including Avery's own friends-can't stop talking about her. And when Emma seems to show a real interest in Avery, things get even more complicated. Maya, the ever-optimistic matchmaker, is quick to set them up, and Avery, desperate to be "normal," throws himself into the idea. But pretending to be someone else is never easy, especially when it doesn't feel right.

The more Avery tries to force himself into the box he's been given, the more it feels like he's suffocating. His friends are happy, sure of who they are. He's not. But maybe Emma is the distraction Avery needs to ignore the fact that his world is falling apart.

This Side of Perfect is a story about identity, friendship, and growing up. It's about the lies we tell ourselves, the messes we make, and the imperfect, beautiful truth we finally come to accept.