While I'm Falling

Coping with Family Upheaval

The novel centers on Veronica, a college student whose world is upended by her parents’ sudden and public divorce. Their split leaves her mother in dire straits, requiring Veronica to step up in ways she never imagined. As her mother struggles to find footing outside the familial home, Veronica becomes a reluctant caretaker, burdened by emotions and responsibilities she feels ill-equipped to handle. The family’s unraveling evokes in Veronica deep-seated fears about her own future and shakes the foundations of her already tenuous confidence.

Friendship and Betrayal

Alongside the domestic chaos, Veronica's friendship with her roommate, Bailey, faces its own strain. What was once a source of solace begins to fray as secrets come to light and misunderstandings accumulate. Bailey’s choices and actions force Veronica to confront the complicated nature of trust, loyalty, and the risks involved in keeping or breaking confidences. Their friendship becomes a lens through which Veronica examines the push and pull of growing up—how bonds can strengthen or snap under pressure.

Facing Adulthood and Independence

With her life split between the responsibilities of family and the turbulence of campus existence, Veronica is thrust into adulthood. Routine is replaced with uncertainty, compelling her to locate new forms of resilience. She must figure out how to navigate financial, academic, and emotional uncertainties, developing problem-solving skills and a new sense of resourcefulness. These challenges, while daunting, slowly build her ability to operate independently and make decisions for herself rather than relying on the stability previously provided by her parents.

Discovering Personal Identity

As Veronica negotiates these difficulties, she embarks on a journey of self-discovery. The loss, upheaval, and feelings of betrayal provide the crucible for personal growth. She is forced to reassess who she is and what she really wants, independent of the roles she’s always played: dutiful daughter, loyal friend, reliable student. Through hardship, Veronica learns acceptance, forgiveness, and how to advocate for her own needs, carving out a more authentic identity in the process.

By the novel’s end, Veronica finds a renewed sense of self—not in returning to what was lost, but in forging a new understanding of family and friendship. She discovers that letting go of the past is both painful and freeing, and that relationships evolve as people do. While some bonds may change or even break, the journey through loss and chaos ultimately leads her to a deeper, more enduring connection to herself—and the hope of healthier, more mature ties in the future.