The Weight Beneath Our A Smiles

We all have battles no one sees.

The Weight Beneath Our Smiles is a collection of short stories and poems exploring the raw reality of mental health struggles that often go unnoticed. Within these pages are stories of pain hidden behind straight A's, trauma buried beneath laughter, scars concealed under long sleeves, and tears wiped away before anyone notices.

Each story shines a light on the silent wars fought by teens and young adults: depression, anxiety, self-harm, eating disorders, suicidal thoughts, grief, and the desperate hope for someone to just understand.

Meet Linda, Maisie, Lizzy, and others as they face the darkness in their minds, some finding hope to keep going, others losing their fight, and some still learning that healing is never linear.

This book is for anyone who has ever felt alone in their thoughts, anyone who has ever whispered "I'm fine" while silently screaming for help. May you find comfort in knowing you are not alone, your story matters, and there is always hope-even when it feels far away.

Your mind is a battlefield, but you are a warrior.