Welcome to Illguth, Montana.
A small town, home to a whopping population of 2,000. In a place where town is just three blocks from home and everyone knows, well, everyone, life isn't exactly exciting.
Especially for Annaliese who is just trying to survive while her friends are on vacation in Florida. In a complete unfair twist, shes left alone with the months leading to Senior year empty.
Using the summer to complete her submission piece for the scholarship she desperately needs, she ventures around town looking for inspiration- that is, until a new family moves in.
When your town is as small as Annaliese's, people talk and word travels fast.
The Manson family seems sweet. And while Annaliese manages to befriend one of the Manson brothers, Ian. She cant seem to shake the other, Elton.
With her journal in hand, Annaliese figures this could be what she needs for her scholarship. That is if she can get through one sentence without stuttering.
But is it worth it?
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]]