If you were to go around the mall asking people to donate for charity, most would say that they don't have the money, that they're sorry. Everyone knows that 97% of those people are lying. But, why do these people lie? Is it really that hard to say 'No, I want to use my money to buy (insert wants here).' No, it isn't. But, do you really want to know what seriously gets to me? The fact that it's a 'want'. People constantly say 'I want blah, blah, and that new blah.' Now, what about those needs, huh? Wants are always put over needs and I hate it! Those people in those charity programs need food and many other necessities. So, why don't people just grow a heart and help another out, instead of being so selfish? Well, once again, that's because people's wants are more important than others' needs. Not! Bottom line is stop being such a stuck-up artichoke, and live life with the knowledge of how things are going to affect people, including myself, around you.
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]]