After an injury forces Ria off the diving team, an unexpected friendship with Cotton, a guy on the autism spectrum, helps her come to terms with the abusive relationship she’s been in with her former coach.

Ria Williams was an elite diver on track for the Olympics. As someone who struggled in school, largely due to her ADHD, diving was the one place Ria could shine.

But while her parents were focused on the trophies, no one noticed how Coach Benny’s strict rules and punishments controlled every aspect of Ria’s life. The harder he was on her, the sharper her focus. The bigger the bruise, the better the dive.

Until a freak accident at a meet changes everything. Just like that, Ria is handed back her life, free of Benny.

To fill her now empty and aimless days, Ria rekindles a friendship with Cotton, a guy she used to know back in elementary school. With Cotton, she’s able to open up about what Benny would do to her, and through Cotton’s eyes, Ria is able to see it for what it was: abuse.

Then Benny returns, offering Ria a second chance with a life-changing diving opportunity. But it’s not hers alone—Benny’s coaching comes with it. The thought of being back under his control seems impossible to bear, but so does walking away.

How do you separate the impossible from possible when the one thing you love is so tangled up in the thing you fear most?

A Powerful Coming of Age Story: After a sudden injury ends her career, an elite diver must figure out who she is without the one thing that made her feel special.
An Abusive Coach and a Terrible Choice: Coach Benny controlled every aspect of Ria’s life, tangling her success with his abuse. When he offers her a second chance, she must choose between her dream and her safety.
Neurodivergent Main Characters: With honest portrayals of ADHD and a main character on the autism spectrum, this story explores the world through a unique and deeply felt lens.
A Slow Burn, Complicated Friendship: Reconnecting with her childhood friend Cotton is the one bright spot in Ria’s new life. He’s the only one who sees the truth of her past—and her potential for the future.

Sarah Tomp