
Jacob Anderson is a 16-year-old boy, tall and slim, with jet-black hair and brown eyes, who attends high school alongside his two best friends, Axl and Anne. Though they are not popular and face discrimination, their friendship is a source of strength and comfort. Axl, an easygoing Afro-Dominican, is the jokester of the group, while Anne, sarcastic yet kind-hearted, secretly harbors a deep love for Jacob, her best friend.

Jacob's life takes a turn when Emily Green, his new neighbor, arrives. A beautiful yet melancholic girl, Emily captivates Jacob but conceals a sorrowful secret. As Jacob becomes drawn to Emily’s mystery, Anne struggles with her jealousy but chooses to help him support Emily, even if it means losing his attention.

Amidst secrets, unrequited love, and the pain of the past, the three friends must navigate the emotional trials of adolescence as they try to discover what truly matters in their lives.



Intertwined Destinies

And I was a little excited. Axl invited me to a Christmas party with his family. My parents had to go to Leeds to spend Christmas with my uncles, but thankfully they let me stay to spend it with Axl. Although the idea of being home alone didn't displease me, the prospect of being with Axl, of sharing that special moment, filled me with joy. 


Axl was always the center of attention, and his family seemed to be an extension of himself: warm, kind, and with an energy that could fill any room. There was something about the way Axl talked about his family that made me feel a little nervous, like I wasn't quite ready to fit into that small, close circle. But on the other hand, I was looking forward to spending a different day, getting out of my comfort zone, and seeing what his world was really like. 


Chapter Sixteen: Christmas day