Evangeline Taylor was only young when her mother became addicted to drugs and alcohol. She was only young when she prayed for an escape, something to break this reality. Her father was M.I.A., and his absence was one of the main causes of her mother's illness. However, Evangeline wasn't alone. Annmarie, her older sister, was the only thing that stood still when the world was a blurr of motion. Annmarie was the person her mother could never be.
But, a constant reminder in this young girl's tale is that nothing good could last forever, and tragedy snakes it's way into the Taylor household.
~
After years and years, Evangeline was no longer the little girl oblivious to her mother's actions. The wall she managed to build up grew bigger over time, as well as a pain in her chest she so wishes would go away. And on one night, Evangeline's wish is granted, but with a whole other twist. Expecting death to bring her to Heaven, if there was a god of some nature, or just a bend in time and space where there was nothing to be felt, absolutely nothing.
That's not the case, for death has Evangeline awakening in a whole new world--beyond death an beyond reality.
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]]