"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I - I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference." - Robert Frost
After her brother's death, Mayu isolated herself at first, as she could not handle the loss. She started spending her teen days in middle school, but it all came more different than expected.
For years later, Mayu, now being sixteen years old, had no relations to her past self anymore. As she got to know new people, she also lost some, and as the surroundings changed, she changed, as well.
Until now, she repressed the memories of her past. In fear of remembering the sadness, she forgot anything that had to do with her brother. Yet, now it comes up again, as a tragic incident opens the veil.
A person usually tries to find a reason behind their sadness, and Mayu isn't much of a difference. She finds herself visiting her brother's grave again after a long time, and replays the story of how everything began to find the moment when she took 'the other road'.
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]]