Model Sophie reflects on a series of events involving her and her two best friends, Michelle, and in particular Selene, when they were sixteen that ended up culminating in tragedy.

Selene and Sophie are typical high-school girls. One day, when Selene’s period is used to make her the target of schoolwide humiliation, she realizes it’s time for a revolution. Inspired by the Celtic face-painted warriors of her ancestry, Selene sets out with her friends to challenge the patriarchy. But when the ferocity of the real world comes crashing in, the girls’ identities are shattered, and they are le to pick up the pieces all on their own.

PAINTED deals unapologetically with bullying, violence, language, drug use, death, the bonds of sisterhood, and—above all—the power of friendship.