On the outside, it looks like she has it all; living in a mansion, free reign of her mom’s credit card. Even her friends are jealous. But the front Cal puts on is just that. Inside she’s dying.

Time Cal used to spend with her mom, shopping, talking about books, or just hanging out, has been replaced with time alone and forgotten promises. There’s also name calling, fighting, and the backhanded comments. And it’s all because of her mom’s boyfriend, or fiancé (whatever) Jerk. He’s changed Cal’s mom. He’s found a way to control her. And he wants to control Cal too. Cal wants to control her own life. And the only way she knows how to do that is through cutting.

After Jerk threatens Cal’s mom with a gun, there's a glimmer of hope. Mom packs their stuff and promises Cal they’ll start a normal life on their own. But when Cal’s mom decides to go running back to Jerk, it shatters the dreams Cal had of regaining a life outside his walls.

Letting her friends through the barrier she built proves nearly impossible. If she can't find a way to let them in, make peace with her mom, and realize for herself that her life is worth living, her next cut could be her last.