Better Half?

Entry for #ONC2026.

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Up until she turned eighteen Tessa Ellis led a pretty bleak existence. Her father died at ten, leaving her in the care of a sadistic step-mother and narcissistic step-sister. The only saving grave is her sweet step-brother and thoughts of escaping to a better future.

Shortly after her birthday she started to dream of a handsome blonde stranger and the thought of him and his care help her get through hard times. After months of dreams she is weeks away from graduating when she encounters him for the first time in real life.

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18. At eighteen, you begin dreaming of a stranger who feels like your other half. When they finally appear in real life, everything you thought you knew about love and reality begins to shift.

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#ONC2026 #OpenNovellaContest2026
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