Samantha and Josh are soulmates, everyone in their small town of Lincoln, Texas knows it. But when Josh ends things two weeks before the start of their senior year, Sam is left reeling. She knows they belong together, even as life tries to get in the way. What she doesn't know is how strong she can be on her own.
A big thanks to Huey-h for the amazing new cover!!
Excerpts:
I want to marry you one day, he said quietly, but deadly serious.
I leaned up again to look at him, his eyes were fierce and sparkled endlessly. I knew he meant it and while it probably should have scared me, how much I loved him and how much he loved me, it didn't. Not one bit.
If you really put your mind to it, I said softly. I think you can make it happen.
He smiled before kissing me, and in that moment, under the stars with our perfect soundtrack playing in the background and his strong arms holding me tight, he tasted like forever.
I believe you, Sam said, her voice straining. I've always believed you and in you, but you've never trusted me. You didn't trust me to be there for you when things got hard. You didn't trust me not to run to Paul. I don't have feelings for Paul.
How would I know? Josh spat, trying to keep her mad at him. If she was upset enough, maybe she'd leave him alone and start to move on. Paul's great, why wouldn't you like him?
Because he's not you, she said softly, and his whole world collapsed.
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]]