Jessica Rhodes lost her parents when she was just 6 to a car crashed caused by a nemesis family. Since then, she's taken self-defence classes, built confidence and has made two promises to herself and her older brother for when she starts University,
1) To be careful and cautious and never trust anyone
2) To never fall for the usual overly confident, charming smiled, tattooed ass holes she would usually fall for
And Jessica wasn't one to break her promises.
***
Jax Carlton left his family when he was 16, after finding out a family secret, buried in the darkest deepest corners of the family home basement. Since then, he grew up, inked his body, and accepted his natural good looks to be an excuse for his cocky attitude. A ladies man, was a perfect tag name for him, and he wore it with pride.
***
When the two of them become flatmates, neither of them know the secrets they're keeping inside. But as feelings change, and hearts start opening up, the secrets slowly begin to surface, ready to change their lives forever.
So what are the consequences of falling for the enemy?
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]]