"The fall felt long, and I saw flashes of memories from my childhood, when I was young and carefree, without life's problems, anxieties, mishaps. I remembered spending time with my family, when we would take spontaneous vacations all over the country to every amusement park and every science museum. I remembered recent times with my friends: study groups, birthdays, holidays. I remembered yesterday, one of the best days of my life, and today, which was the worst. The sea came closer and closer, until all I could see were blue waves, and finally, nothing. "
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]]