Isabelle is optimistic, hopeful, kind, and warm ㅡ a bit eccentric, too. But despite being this way, her insecurity about her physical appearance eats her every now and then, mainly a result of the age she lives in ㅡ an age where beauty reigns and is highly valued.
In college, she meets this man, Cain, who happens to be the quiet guy in her English class. Starting to grow fond of his mysteriousness, she starts writing about him often. Seeing that he is always by himself, she then thinks that maybe he understands what it's like to be lonely ㅡ to be an outcast especially in a society who values a hierarchy that crowns beauty. Things take an interesting turn when she left her diary one day, and Brian, a random guy she met, finds out about her growing love for Cain ㅡ through her diary!
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]]