Beneath the Surface

Title: Beneath the Surface

17-year-old Kaya, a once-promising high school swimmer, has been off the team for almost a year after a panic attack at a regional meet went viral. Branded as "the girl who cracked under pressure," she's been quietly struggling with anxiety and depression while trying to rebuild her life away from the spotlight.

When Kaya transfers to a new school for her senior year to get a fresh start, she plans to stay away from the pool - and people - altogether. But when a kind but persistent new classmate named Micah, a track star with his own battles with ADHD and grief, encourages her to attend a school swim meet, Kaya finds herself drawn back to the water - and to him.

As Kaya navigates therapy, a broken relationship with her old coach, and the internal voice that tells her she's not enough, she begins training in secret again. With Micah's support and her slowly rebuilding confidence, she sets a new goal: not just to swim again, but to compete in the final state meet of the season.

Meanwhile, Kaya and Micah's connection deepens, but both must confront their own emotional baggage and fears of vulnerability if they want to move from being each other's safe space to truly being in love.

The theme is focusing on:

Mental health (anxiety, depression, grief, ADHD)

The stigma of mental illness in sports

Second chances and self-redemption

The importance of therapy and friendship

Realistic romance (awkward, slow-building, emotional intimacy over drama)

enjoy loves!!💞