Aiden Reeves is a seventeen-year-old junior in high school. He is, what most would say, a loner, and not so much by choice. He is isolated for being gay in his home town of Bradford, England. But when his father gets a new job in California, Aiden, his mother, father, and younger sister Madison, pack their things and go. It's in the middle of the plane ride to Huntington Beach, California when he gets and idea. One in which he believes will help him fit in. He isn't going to tell anyone that he's gay. Not so much lying but just hoping that no one will ask. Danny Ford is the schools 'it' boy. With top schools basically throwing scholarships his way for both his grades and lacrosse, he has his whole life laid out in front of him. His parents took the liberty of planning almost everything; graduate high school, go to a good college, marry a nice girl, and maybe have a kid or two. Danny is happy with his plans, he gets along well with everyone and always follows the rules, that is, until Aiden comes to town. He tells his parents everything but he doesn't have the heart to explain that he wants to create new plans. Ones that don't involve a girl, but a boy.
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.
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