The Pain that Lingers

Chapter seventeen: A Rotten Bridge

This will be a flashback so if you haven't read the previous flashbacks I suggest you doing so

Lucy 

Flashback to Freshman Year

After the Party 

"I swear, I tried looking all over for you. But I couldn't find you, I'm sorry." Alyssa said. 

My own best friend left me to fend for myself. What secret is she hiding from me? I could tell she was lying about many things, I just couldn't put my finger on it. Alyssa and our new friend, Clay had a lot of explaining to do. 

I kept my gaze on her for a while before I spoke. 

"Are you keeping something from me?" I asked. 

She tensed up, "What? No!"

"Are you being truthful?" I asked. 

"I promise!" Alyssa says. 

I wasn't sure I believed her but I sure wanted to go the fuck home. My brain was still fuzzy from the night before; however, I didn't want to argue anymore, not until I was sober. 

"Take me home, please!" I begged. 

"Lucy, what happened? You know I'm here for you!" Alyssa claimed. If she really cared she would have made sure I got home safe. The one person who I thought would protect me, hurt me. I don't know if I could face him at school on Monday. What would people think of me? Am I a slut for "hooking up" with my boyfriend. 

Tears were forming in my eyes. 

"Tyler... He hurt me." I said and tears flowed from my eyes. 

Alyssa stunned turned to look at me and said, "We have to tell your father, he knows how to handle these situations. Do you want me to take you to the hospital just in case?" 

My muscles froze. My dad, what would he think of me? 

"What would my dad think of me if he found out? He'd think I'm irresponsible, he'd think it's my fault for getting drunk and going into a room with him. I-I feel like such a slut and broken!" I sobbed. 

"Lucy- you have to go to the hospital so the doctors can help you!" Alyssa says hugging me. I don't know what I would do if I didn't have my friend here right now. Yes, I was still mad at her for leaving me alone. But how would she know where I was? I tried to be reasonable at this time. 

I finally agreed and Alyssa drove me to the hospital. 

____________________________________________

I waited for the doctors to be finished. I winced every time they would touch me because all I could feel was the pain Tyler inflicted on me when he was forcing himself in me. Tyler took something from me, something I'll never get back. First he took my dignity, secondly he took away my trust and lastly he took away my soul. 

"We're all finished. We just need to contact your legal guardian at this time." The nurse said. 

"NO!" I said, it was almost a yell but I don't care. My dad cannot see me like this. 

"It's the law that a parent should be present upon your release!" The nurse explained. I couldn't argue with her. She called the first person in my contact list, which was my dad. 

"Please don't call him." I begged. 

"I must, I have to report this assault to the police." The nurse said. "You're a minor and pregnant, it's a law in New York." 

Pregnant? What?! How could I be pregnant? There's no possible way that I'm pregnant, I'm only fourteen years old; I'm barely an adult, dad is going to kill me! The nurse called my dad and I didn't have a say over it. Before my dad came, a detective came in the room questioning me. 

"Lucy!?" Dad called. Alyssa was told to leave because she wasn't a family member. I was almost having a panic attack hearing my dad's voice travel through the halls. 

"Please, officer! I don't want him seeing me like this." I said practically begging the officer as well. But he didn't listen either. 

"Lucy!" Dad said entering the room. "I got here as soon as I got the call. What happened?" The officer looked at me and pulled my dad to the side and explained what happened. By the time they were finished explaining to him the events that took place, dad made them all leave. 

"Dad, I'm sorry." I said nearly crying. 

"Honey, it's okay. It wasn't your fault; I'm not mad and I'll never be mad, don't worry though, we're going to put this boy away for a long time." Dad says trying to comfort me. "He won't see another day as long as he is in jail." 

We discussed what my plans were for this "pregnancy". I still can't believe that asshole got me pregnant and he didn't even use a condom. Who knows what diseases I caught from him. I knew in my head I wasn't ready for a child. But what would people's reactions be if they ever found out? 

"Dad, I'm not ready to have a kid." I blurted. He gaped at me and nodded his head. 

"I know darling, I know! We'll talk to your mom and see what your options are." He said. 

"No, dad! You're not listening, I don't want a kid at all." I said. 

"Your mom is working on a patient, but don't worry. As soon as she's here we'll figure this out as a family." Dad said.

_____________________________________

It's been a couple of weeks since the assault happened. 

Everyone in school was talking about it because somehow someone found out and it leaked all over the internet. 

Gosh, people must think I'm slutty. 

"Oh my gosh, Lucy! Are you okay sweetie?" Marla asked. Marla is the student council president and she runs the key club. 

"Yes," I say not wanting to talk about this with her or anyone for that matter. Who would tell everyone about this? This isn't a joking matter and quiet frankly, this is no one's business. I rolled my eyes and walked to the bathroom. I locked myself in the stall not wanting to show my face. 

"Can you believe what happened? Gosh she's such a slut!" A girls voice said. 

"Ryleigh, can you be any more of a bitch?" The other girls voice said. 

"Jeez Armani, I was just joking." Ryleigh said. 

"This is not a joking matter. A girl seriously got hurt, and you're acting like a stuck up bitch with no heart." Armani said. 

Ryleigh and Armani were part of the softball team and they were popular. Armani was always the nice one, but Ryleigh on the other hand; she was a complete mean girl. I flushed the toilet and came out of the stall, both girls eyes landed on me. Ryleigh went completely silent and she walked out of the bathroom. It was awkward until I broke the silence. 

"Thank you!" I said. Armani nodded her head. 

"Your welcome." Armani replied. 

"Why did you of all people defend me?" I asked, curious. 

"Let's just say that I know what it's like to be in your shoes. Have you talked to a counselor or anything?" Armani asked. 

"I see one after school." I said. 

"Good. If you ever need help, just give me a call." Armani said grabbing my phone and putting her number in. 

I had to get to the bottom of who started this rumor. Who could have done this to me and why? So many unanswered questions.