Fragile

Chapter 37

Nightmares lasted long after the trauma ended. For weeks, even after I was fully healed and Seth was locked up, I found myself screaming awake each night. Noah never left my side; he was gentle in a way I never expected, whispering soothing words of comfort no matter how often I scared him awake with my antics. 

Noah said around 150 girls were found due to our sting operation; they had roughly 50 at the house that was raided, and 100 more were able to be found due to the clues they found from the raid. Though it was unsaid, however, I knew the harsh truth was we probably missed some girls. I knew that there were probably girls they were able to whisk away just before the raids, girls they sold before we found them, girls that were long gone and those that were taken over borders. They arrested around 25 men from the trafficking operation; half of them were on the lacrosse team or alumni. Most of them were out on bail, with the exception of Seth. It made all of us uneasy, especially Noah. 

"I can walk myself to class," I tried to tell Noah for what felt like the millionth time. "I'm meeting up with Kiera, I'm fine." 

In all honesty, both Noah and I knew I was in fact, not fine. If the nightmares weren't enough to go off of, there was the fact that I couldn't help but look like a small paranoid chihuaha everytime I left the safety of Noah's dorm. It was a weak protest, asking Noah to give me space, and he knew that. 

He wrapped his arm around me as we walked. "I just want you safe," he murmured. "Be as normal as you can be, given the circumstances." 

"As if we were ever normal," I deadpanned. "the ship for normal college girl set sail a long time ago." 

He just smiled. I noticed Noah smiled a lot more now; he was more relaxed when we walked like this, showing off his dimples so often I never forgot they were there. "At least one of us deserves to get a normal education," he said. "the normal college guy ship set sail way before you." 

I frowned. "You're not even that much older than me." 

"Age is just a number, baby." 

"That was absolutely disgusting," Kiera's voice carried over. she stood in front of us making gagging gestures. "Honestly, who knew Noah Pierce was such a sap." 

I pulled away from Noah, laughing when I noticed his ears tinged pink. Kiera's arm replaced where Noah's was, steering me to our class. "We're off to class, no boys allowed!" 

"Sorry," I said once we were out of earshot, though the smile stayed on my face. "He's just overprotective." 

she scoffed out a laugh. "You aren't sorry at all," she teased. She pinched my now hot cheek. "given the circumstances, I won't hold him for his overprotectiveness. Y'all are still weird though." 

I sighed when I looked up at the board. two weeks until finals. Kiera followed my gaze while I buried my head in my arms. "I can't even remember the last time I went to class." 

"Personally, I think we should get a pass," she said. "I mean, don't superheroes get special treatment? Is it that far off to expect we don't take our finals considering we dismantled an entire sex trafficking cartel?" 

"We also got the lacrosse team disqualified for the upcoming season," I reminded her. "trust me, no one on campus likes us right now." 

I shuddered thinking of the words 'whore' that had been spraypainted on my dorm only a month before. No one was bold enough to spray Noah's door, but I wondered if Kiera was still experiencing the same thing, now that she had the room to herself. Even though she claimed she was happy having the room to herself, I couldn't help but worry. Kiera wasn't the type to admit she was upset. 

Then again, neither was I. 

"hundreds of girls were trafficked and all anyone cares about is a fucking lacrosse game," Kiera seethed. "Americans." 

I snorted at her comment as the professor came in. "Fay Hemmings, so nice of you to join us," the professor commented. "I almost forgot you were on my roll call." 

I winced at the backhanded comment, shrinking lower into my seat. Thankfully, he ended his commentary there and began the class. I didn't dare make a single noise the rest of the period. 

** 

"So, I have something to tell you." 

"That isn't alarming at all," I deadpanned. 

Kiera and I were in our dorm, sitting on opposite beds after class. Noah was working, so I had promised I would stay at my dorm with Kiera until he came to pick me up, which earned me some more cooing and teasing from Kiera. 

"Charles and I have been working with the police on a shelter program for the girls that were rescued," she said, fidgeting with the rings on her fingers. "As you know, most of them are minors and lost touch with their families." 

My stomach churned, but I nodded. "Do you think the police would approve it?" 

"Well, it's more the county and the state that need to approve it, but it's pretty much guaranteed to go through," she said. She paused. 

"So, what's the problem?" I prompted her. 

"The girls made a request," she said. "They want you to run it." 

"Why me?" I narrowed my eyes at her. 

"Well, it makes sense. You are technically the one that saved them." 

"I was saved myself, that doesn't mean anything." 

"They all look up to you," she said. "The police agree that you should also be the one to run it. I would of course be helping you-" 

"Wait, wait," I stopped her. My head felt like it was spinning a mile a minute. "I'm not qualified for this-" 

"What qualifications do you need? Just be there. I'll take care of the hard stuff, but they want you, Fay." 

I tried to force myself to take deep breaths. I had no idea how to handle traumatized girls. Hell, I was a traumatized girl, how was I supposed to make them feel better? Even if Kiera was going to take care of everything like she claimed, would that just make me a figurehead? I didn't know what was worse. 

"The girls don't trust the police," Kiera continued. "if we give them to social services, they will either just be stuck in the shitty system or run away, you know that. They are willing to stay if you join. We can really help these girls, Fay. Please, just say yes. If you hate it, then we can deal with it then." 

"I can't lie to these girls, I can't be just a figurehead." 

"Then commit. You yourself said these girls need help. If not you, who is going to help them?" 

I sighed. "okay. Yea, okay." 

Kiera muffled a squeal in her hand. "Sorry, not trying to pressure you, I'm just so excited." 

Her eyes were shining bright, and I couldn't find it in me to regret my decision. I wondered if deep down Kiera was using this to find a way to heal. It was hard knowing Kiera's sister was not among the girls that were taken, that she probably would never find her sister. The hopeful look on her face made me want to do this for her. She was right after all; if we didn't step up, the state would just put them in the system to be forgotten. I knew better than anybody what it felt like to be isolated and forgotten. 

"We just have one tiiiiiiny more problem," she spoke again with a shaky smile. 

I tilted my head. "What?" 

"Convincing Noah."