The Problem with Forever

Mallory Dodge spent her childhood in a traumatic foster home where she learned that silence was her only protection. After years of homeschooling and therapy with her adoptive parents, she chooses to attend a public high school for her senior year. There, she reconnects with Rider Stark, the boy who shielded her from physical abuse when they were children. While Mallory battles a paralyzing speech impediment and social anxiety, Rider faces a volatile home life and a defensive mindset that prevents him from imagining a stable future beyond graduation.

This story serves readers who appreciate realistic depictions of recovery from childhood trauma and the complexities of selective mutism. It attracts those interested in the psychological transition from victimhood to self-advocacy within a high school setting. Readers walk away with a specific understanding of how supportive relationships can facilitate healing, while also recognizing that long-term progress requires individual effort and the willingness to speak up despite fear.