Stella Rose lives a life of secrets and half truths. But she's  never had to lie to Zach Mitchell before. He's her best friend. When they start to explore a romantic relationship, everything comes crashing down around them. Betrayals take place, secrets spill, and hearts get stomped on. Now, a few years later, and about to graduate high school, will we see the wounds heal? Will Stella and Zach get a second chance?


[WARNING: Contains triggers for eating disorders, emotional and physical abuse, suicidal thoughts, harmful language]

**This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. **

Is This Our Second Chance

The sun shining through my sheer purple and blue curtains wakes me up out of my foggy sleep. I squint my eyes trying to see the time on my phone. I sigh in relief. Thank god it's only seven in the morning. I have time to take a shower and do my hair and makeup. I normally barely have enough time to put on some concealer and throw some clothes on before I must rush out the door. 


I gingerly crawl out of bed, being careful of the now very pronounced bruises on my upper arms and my right side. I make a mental note to take a decent size dosage of pain killers to help with the pain and swelling. 


Shedding my pajamas bottoms and tank top, I pad into my bathroom. I happen to be lucky enough to have my bathroom attached to my bedroom. I turn the water on and hop in. The hot water raining down feels amazing against my sore muscles and bruises. 


Chapter 5