Being stuck in a people-pleasing routine is what Bayla Barclay knows best. She's got every aspect of her strained relationship down to a science. She'll wear herself away to nothing without a second thought for whoever needs it. It's what she's best at.

But maybe what you're best at isn't always what's best for you. Maybe what you need isn't what you get; it's what you already have.

That's the difference between getting and needing.

to all those tough decisions we have to make as human beings. to the times when you question if you're doing the right thing (even when it sure as hell doesn't feel like it but your gut knows that you are). to pushing through the pain, doubting yourself, and wondering what you're even doing.

it's ok. you're ok. you'll be ok. take a breath, brush yourself off, and do whatever the fuck makes you happy.

well, if you've been a follower of mine for quite some time, you know that all of my story ideas tend to be from a long time ago and are completely rebranded and rewritten. this one is not. this is the first fresh, brand spankin' new story idea i have had in years. no inspiration from before, no previously written ideas – just a blank slate. that being said, i really, really hope you like it.

also i must shed light on how much i freaking hate writing descriptions for stories and for some reason this one was super hard!!!! i didn't want to give too much away in the description, but i wanted it to be enough/intriguing to you guys. so much is going to happen in this story and i'd like to think a majority of it is unpredictable, therefore we have a vague description. i literally rewrote it like 27 times and what it is now is what i'm happy with (kinda). give it a chance, i swear it'll be worth it. i'm actually so excited about this idea and i hope you guys are too!

this story deals with swearing, partying and twenty-something antics, sexual situations, possible broken heartedness, and the feels – swooning may occur. read at your own risk.

STARTED: november 2018

COMPLETED: january 2022

this story is in past-tense (no specific reason why). all chapters will be in bayla's p.o.v. unless stated otherwise.

you should know that this will be a long, rocky rollercoaster of a ride. you may feel confused, frustrated, upset, and a multitude of other emotions. you may bounce back and forth between love and hate. this story does not follow any sort of standard romance plotline, but that's because this is not a love story. this is a story about love.

not only that, but this is a work of fiction that is primarily meant to be portrayed realistically. these are my characters, they will make mistakes, and you might not always agree with them. that's life and that's as real as it gets. please keep this in mind while reading my work, or any other work of fiction out there.

for the first time, i can't say "i've had this story since i was *insert younger age here*" but i CAN still say do me a favor and don't fucking steal it :)

xoxo, sabbbycat