Cleo Brooklyn is running from a dark past by moving in with her crazy, fun Grandmother that lives all the way in Mississippi, U.S, far away from her original home back in Merritt Island, Florida.
Cleo promised herself that once she steps onto the plane that takes her to freedom, Mississippi, away from the thick walls of pity, she will be reborn as a new person.
The new Cleo Brooklyn, the one that smiles during tough times, the one that is looking for a friend that will be there for her.
Aaron Blake is Richmans Middle and HighSchool cocky, irritating, player that loves all games. He's the player that every girl loves, and every boy wants to be.
Aaron runs into Cleo, literally, and wants to know more about her, like his friends. So, Aaron was given a task, a bet, to become close to Cleo, close enough for her to tell him all of her secrets.
During this brutal bet, Lies, death, heartbreak, hope, and lastly love will develop between Cleo and Aaron.
But, remember...
It All Started With A Bet.
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]]