Kida Green's life could be described in the phrase, "To want what one cannot have." It was ironic to her that even with everything -- her doting mother, her comfortable life, her kind personality, and even her beautiful looks -- that she yearned for the one thing which she was unable to mildly warm up to: love. It seemed like each time a guy swept into her life, she would adore them to the point of obsession, convinced of their intertwined fates, and then, for no apparent reason, she would realize that she was utterly and soul-crushingly bored, abandoning the poor love-struck men to find their own way.
It wasn't her fault. Her sentiments were as uncontrollable as the wind and, after she ruins her relationship with one of her most recent 'affairs', Kida decides she has had enough. In an effort to awaken her unbeating heart, Kida resolves herself to find someone who would tear her to shreds.
Upon confiding in her best friend about this endeavor, a new and uncaring man waltzes into her life who won't give her the time of day. Keiran Orran, a man that even Ari -- Kida's most trustworthy friend -- will pine after to the point of betrayal, becomes Kida's goal. But what will happen when her dead heart meets his hard one? Is there way to salvation for these two or will this toxic affair lead to Kida's end?
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]]