What we hid to survive

Skylar Hayes has spent years perfecting the art of disappearing in plain sight. At school, she's the sharp-tongued girl with the perfect grades and permanent scowl. But at home, she's barely holding herself together. Haunted by trauma she won't yet speak aloud, while battling thoughts she can't control, and hiding scars she hopes no one ever notices.

Especially not him.

Kade Turner has been Skylar's rival since the third grade. He's loud, competitive, and infuriating. Teasing her has always been easy-safer than admitting he's never quite understood the way she looks at the world... Or why he cares so much when her smile doesn't her eyes.

When they're forced to be partners in their forensics class, Kade expects the usual arguments. He doesn't expect Skylar to starts to slip through the the cracks. The girl who once met every insult with fire, now barely lifts her gaze. She's quieter. Thinner. Lost in thoughts she won't let anykne close enough to name.

And then Skylar's world shatters when her mom dies. Sending her spiraling into a darkness shes determined to face alone.

But Kade notices. Kade always notices

As their investigations move from crime scenes to the secrets they've kept buried for years. Kade tries to uncover the truth: Skylar isn't his enemy. She's hurting. And if he doesn't find a way to reach her, he might lose her long before she ever learns she doesn't have to fight this battle alone.