''WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU? Where the hell have you been?!'' He was shouting at her from the distance.
She could see him approaching her. Walking, more like stomping, fast, towards her. Angry, so angry. She casted her gaze at the students, standing outside, observing. Waiting. The rain was still pouring down, soaking her.
He was soaking wet , as well, as he stood in front of her.
Holding her purse in one hand, and her shoes in the other, she waited for his punishment.
''Well, if you must know, everything. And I went for a walk, to answer the second question.'' She said calmly.
She tried to pass him, but he grabbed her arm and pulled her back in front of him.
''A walk????! Are you fucking kidding me?!!''He was screaming at her.
Silence. I can't do this, she thought to herself.
He finally let go of her hand.
''You know...'', he started. rubbing his forehead, ''I don't ...understand you, you...'' he said tiredly, but she cut him off.
''I love you.'' A shaky whisper.
''What?''
She brought her head up and finally looked at him. Holding back her tears, she repeated herself, more firmly.
''I said I love you.'' Why did you tell him , you IDIOT!!!
He spoke, mockingly. '' You don't know how to love.''
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]]