Dropout

Novellette: Dropout - When things got tough, Nessa got going. Almost on a whim, mostly hoping to clear her mind, she strikes out to escape her guilt. Island life far, far away suits, it turns out. Until an important fixture in her past falls ill, and she returns just a quick as she left. Given her speedy, silent departure, and long absence, going back is not so simple. Feeling compelled despite the chilly reception, she fights to work through her twisty inner feelings - about the past, herself, and where she belongs.
With a little help from unexpected corners, a lot of humor, even more pluck, our girl pushes toward a future she isn't sure of, but maybe can't escape - in this trek toward hope through desperation - with serious, moody, surprising, funny moments along the way. Queer romantic overtones. Sample from Dropout:Dominic is across from me, scowling. "I don't understand what you are waiting for."Taken aback, I square my shoulders, spit something out.
"Things happen, kid. It's a lot to back track now.""You're drunk."Waving my glass, "sometimes you need to take the edge off."Frowning, "looks like you took down a mountain, " glancing at the nearly empty bottle on the table. Looking back at me, "no one here knows you are alive but me, what's your plan?"This kid is what, fifteen now? "You're taking it pretty well, " I suggest confidently. The boy shakes his head, "but my mother is going to fall over, you'll be lucky if she doesn't have a heart attack on the spot.""Oh come on, " flipping a hand in the air, "when did you get so dramatic!""She thinks you are dead, no worse, she thinks you killed yourself!"Shrugging, frustrated, "that's not my fault!"Giving me a moment to think it over, he says, "it kinda is." .