Brittany O'Neill and her family packed up everything and moved to Berkeley, California for a fresh start. Her brother and she were excepted into Berkeley University and she thought it would be the great college experience. With little to no stresses...
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Chapter Sixteen
Mattie met me at the door, and I instantly wrapped my arms around her. Everything that had happened today came to a head, and my body felt drained. So, I ask her if we could go to my bedroom and she agreed. There was so much I wanted to tell her, but if I did, it'd only put her in danger. I couldn't tell her the truth. The only thing I could think of to tell her was about the past. It was the only thing that I could tell her that wouldn't risk her getting hurt.
"I was almost raped at a party by Tom Carson," I admitted.
"What?" she breathed.
I told her everything and watched the emotions on her face. She hadn't really known Tom that well either, but knew his name. I knew if I'd told her back then, she wouldn't have kept it from Jay. Either she'd send him to confront Tom and he would have, or she'd have confronted him herself. Something else couldn't have happened. When I finished, she hugged me tighter than she ever had.
"Why didn't you tell me?" She whispered into my shoulder.
"I couldn't tell anyone. It was too hard." I said honestly.
"I'm so sorry that happened to you. I should have been a better friend and noticed something."
"No, I kept it completely hidden to the best of my ability from everyone. I avoided Tom, and he never spoke to me again. Sometimes I'd see him giving me this threatening look, almost warning me what might happen if I ever told anyone. So I never did."
There was a time when I thought that was the worst thing I'd ever face after losing my dad. I was wondering if what I was facing now was even worse. A girl was attacked after trying to warn me things weren't right with the guys. They admitted to not being able to tell me the truth. All I knew was they owed the dean of Berkeley, and I may never understand that.
"I'm glad you did. Promise me if something else ever happens. Anything you want to say. I haven't been your friend all these years for you not to tell me these things. Promise?"
"I promise, so let's go to sleep. I'm tired."
The next morning, I was happy to enjoy breakfast with Mattie and Mom. Jay would kill me if he found out I came back without him. He hated missing any chance to see Mattie or Mom. I looked up, noticing Mom eyeing me carefully. Oh, no.
"Britt, honey, have you been okay lately?"
"Yeah, why?" I asked.
I didn't want to bother Mom with my petty problems. She'd go kill Tom herself if she had ever heard the truth. It had been so long since I knew it would hurt her. I didn't tell her myself and she'd probably tell Jay which I didn't need either. He'd also try to kill him. Liam's reaction was terrible enough and who knew where he'd gone off to? He was behaving like he had a claim over me.
"You've been home a lot lately. I'm wondering if something's wrong."
"No, of course not. I just came home because I know you want me to."
