[PREVIOUSLY JUST FRIENDS] Rena Morel doesn't know what she's getting into when she applies, through her mom's persuasion, for the Colorado Rose Pageant. Knowing that she won't fit in and fully expecting to stick out like a sore thumb, Rena is determined to better herself and win. She needs to learn and blossom into her potential if she has any chance at getting through this competition and reaping its rewards. What Rena is not expecting are the lifelong friends she will make along the process. She experiences hardships, hatred, heartbreaks, violence, envy, tragedy. But most importantly, she experiences the hope and beauty of unexpected love. ••• Completed July 2017