instruments make music.
people love music.
they say that no music is no life.
well, our story's heroine's first instrument was the rainbow coloured xylophone, age three. ever since then she has mastered every instrument she has come upon. she does it for the euphoria it brings, knowing that your fingers, your set of lungs, you are making it.
Then, why not bring in another hero. his first instrument was the piano at age ten. he hasn't stopped playing since. It is what he does, his music really is his life. for six years he has been non-stop entered in competitions, winning competitions, ruling competitions.
both have a way with music.
now, these two musical people, let’s put them in school, different schools, yet sister/brother schools.
bryn east girls.
bryn east boys.
when these two schools decide they want to hold a joint musicalé these fellow protagonists’ friends, teachers, peers root for them. the prize is the title, the competition is fierce, there is only one winner.
these judges aren’t going to pull a seneca crane, there is one winner, and one winner only.
so, without further ado, let the best musician win.
Ella is falling apart trying to live a "perfect" high school life. Then she meets Ren, who can see past her scars. Suddenly perfection isn't her only option.
*****
Ella Volkov is a gifted music student, but she's depressed and starting to crack under the pressure of high school. Her overbearing father won't even let her choose what instrument she plays. Then she finds herself alone at a party with Ren, her best friend's crush. She'd always thought he was rude, but after that night he's all Ella can think about. Now she's trapped. If Ella dates Ren, it will ruin her friendship with Jenny. But if she stays true to Jenny, she's losing the one person who can see past her scars. It's up to Ella to decide if she will forge her own path, or stay in the "perfect" box designed for her...
Content and/or Trigger Warning: depression, anxiety, self-harm, violence, sexual assault.
[[word count: 50,000-100,000 words]]