[Ch 1] Monday, September 13th, Fall of Freshman Year

Janelle Beckley thought she was ready for her first year of high school. With best friends, a loving boyfriend, and an aptitude for learning, freshman year should have been a guaranteed breeze.

But before she can even set foot on campus for the first day of school, one wrong summer turns Janelle's world upside down, unraveling her plans, her relationships, and her sanity. As the stress of the school year builds, so does Janelle's guilt over the mistakes she made. And with every piece of bad luck she's served, Janelle struggles more and more to pull herself free of her demons.

Will she find a way to overcome her past and free herself of the guilt and shame that weighs her down? Or will the darkness she feels consume her entirely?

After all, one mistake can change everything.

Drawn from personal experiences and told in a mix of first- and third-person narration, this blend of real-life and fiction will allow readers to get to know Janelle inside and out, relating to her and the hardships she faces on a personal level as they root for her to overcome her flaws and insecurities.

Perfect for fans of "Speak," "I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter," and "Thirteen Reasons Why."

WARNING: this story contains mature topics, including mental health issues and sexual violence; it may not be suitable for all readers. Recommended for readers aged 16 and up.

|ranked #1 in freshman year 08052020|
|ranked #1 in sexual assault 11272020|
|ranked #20 in freshman 08062020|
|ranked #31 in realistic fiction 08062020|

Copyright J. Bodwell, 2020
First Draft; under revision.