At twelve, young Ember Amythest is put through a torture that doesn't allow her to use any of her senses, and leaves her with her thoughts alone, slowly driving her insane. She doesn't know why this happened, or what she did to deserve it, she just knew that when she woke up, it wasn't a dream, and her family was gone. Five years later, Ember is still suffering from paranoia and after affects from her past. After a run in with a group at the natatorium, Ember is able to see what she would've if she had opened her eyes underwater while she was inside the "Glass Cage". A young boy, holding a black rose. Now, at school, said young boy is in her classes. What can Ember find out about her past, and the boy looking in?
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]]