SUMMARY Analeia Mwaura is a 16-year-old Kenyan girl living a semi-perfect life in Nairobi. She comes from a middle-class family and has good grades, close friends, and a supportive mother, but beneath the surface, she battles with anxiety, self-harm, and a developing eating disorder. Her relationship with her father is strained, contributing to her emotional struggles. When Analeia's parents announce their decision to move to the United States, she feels a mix of excitement and apprehension. Moving to America has always been her dream, but leaving behind everything familiar is daunting. Her mother is her anchor, but the distance from her close-knit group of friends and the uncertainty of a new life looms large over her. Upon arriving in a suburban town in the United States, Analeia starts attending a new high school. There she meets Caleb Anderson, a local who has lived in the States all his life. Caleb is an introvert, much like Analeia, and carries the weight of a traumatic childhood. His parents died in a car accident when he was young, leaving him in the care of a neglectful and abusive uncle. This past has left deep scars, and Caleb keeps to himself, avoiding interactions with others. In her new school, Analeia struggles to make friends, feeling isolated despite the fresh start. She manages to connect with one girl, Emma, who becomes her sole confidant. Fate, however, has different plans for Analeia and Caleb. They are paired together for a school project, a collaboration that neither is particularly enthusiastic about. As they work on the project, Analeia and Caleb begin to open up to each other. Analeia's struggles with mental health resonate with Caleb's own pain, and they find solace in their shared vulnerability. Their friendship, though tumultuous, becomes a lifeline for both of them. Analeia helps Caleb confront his past, while Caleb offers Analeia the understanding and empathy she desperately needs. Through their journey, the story explores themes of mental health, trauma, and the healing power of human connection. Analeia's complex relationship with her parents continues to evolve, particularly with her father, as they navigate their new life in a foreign land. Caleb learns to trust again, finding in Analeia a friend who sees beyond his troubled exterior. "Beneath the Surface" is a poignant tale of two broken souls finding hope and strength in each other, proving that even in the darkest times, there is a light that can lead the way to healing and self-acceptance.

Comparable Stories:

Girl in pieces-Kathleen Glassgow It's Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

Trigger Warnings:

self harm,suicide,grief,depression,emotional abuse