The New Kid | lrh

Chapter 12

I stayed home the following days to process what events had happened and what I would do about it. I knew that I couldn't report the attempted rape because no one would believe me. There were no witnesses to attest to my story. The people at the party just saw me run out of the house looking disheveled. A defense attorney could argue that an eye witness could've been under the influence of a legal drug and the case would be thrown out. It's not like they could find my DNA in the room. A strand of long black hair? Good chance it wasn't my back hair.

I did my research about my type of case. First, I didn't have the money for a lawyer. Second, I had no good eye witness accounts. Third, no one can prove that Sean had attempted to rape me. His head injury could've been from him getting into a fight with another person.

When Violet and I got back to the house, we saw people pulling Michael away from Sean. Sean only had a bloody nose as he laid on the floor, from which I assumed, Michael swinging first. No one called the police. No one wanted to. There were drugs and underage kids everywhere. Misdemeanors for at least fifty people.

"Michael, we gotta go." Violet pulled on his arm.

"Don't ever fuck with her again." Michael said, spitting on Sean's face afterwards.

"You didn't have to do that, but thank you Mikey." I said hugging him.

We walked back to my house which was not as far as Mike's house was. Michael and Violet would stay the night and leave in the morning. I really wanted to see Luke. I would call him soon and see how he was. Maybe.

~

It was Saturday morning, a week and a day after what happened at the party. I hadn't spoken to anyone since Michael and Violet stayed over. I skipped an entire week of school, which I hadn't done in awhile. Luke texted me asking where I was or if I was okay. I told him I was on vacation with some relatives for a week. I didn't want him to see me yet.

I had a few small bruises on my left arm from being thrown around, but nothing major for the need to go to the hospital or emergency room.

I got a message from Luke asking if I was home and I replied no. As much as I wanted to see him, and needed to feel him, I wouldn't let him see me.

'Zoe, I know you're home. I see your bedroom light is on.'

'No, it's not, Lucas.'

I quickly typed out before turning off the lamp next to my bed.

'Come outside and open the door for me dumb ass :-)'

I slowly walked down the stairs to open the door for Luke. I wore leggings and a tank top and my hair was disheveled. I opened the door to reveal a very dressed up boy. Luke wore a white t-shirt under a buttoned up black cardigan with khaki cargo shorts and Sperry loafers.

"You look like such a fucking preppy nerd." I commented.

"Hi, to you as well." He smiled, pushing past me into my house.

I closed the door and followed him to my room. "Hi, Lucas Robert."

"Oh god, don't call me that." He cringed.

I sat across from him on my bed as he took off his shoes and cardigan.

"Why is the nerd dressing like a nerd today?" I questioned.

"The nerd's mother thinks he should dress better and not wear any "weird music shirts" anymore." He quoted his mom. "The nerd happens to think that Nirvana is not weird music. He happens to like it."

"You just referred to yourself in third person," I stated. "You're so lame."

We kept talking and had some playful banter. He noticed a bruise near my shoulder and asked how it got there.

"I dropped some stuff on my shoulder."

He gave me a doubtful look, silently pressing me for the truth.

"S-Sean, uh, almost, um..."

"Well you can't say he took your virginity," he laughed to himself.

I lightly laughed before continuing. "No, actually, Sean almost, um, raped me..."

He was silent as he took in this new information. His facial expression must've changed within 0.3 seconds.

"SEAN ALMOST RAPED YOU?" He yelled, a whole other side I had yet to see of him. His face conturted at the thought.

"Almost." I assured. "I hit him with a lamp."

He was angry but the sound of Sean getting hit by a lamp amused him. He laughed slightly before he quickly scooped me up and placed me into his lap. I was too big to be held like this, in my opinion. But, I sat in his lap, legs curled up to my chest as he rocked us back and forth. I held him close to me, my face buried into his chest, inhaling his scent. He kissed my face all over and whispering how happy he was that I was okay.

I began crying into his shirt, which I hoped I hadn't. He stroked my hair as he let me cry. He's didn't even get mad that I didn't tell him what happened. He let me cry before asking me questions.

I stayed in his lap, as he asked me about the night.

"Why didn't you tell me what happened right away? You waited a whole week..."

"I was scared that you would hate me because I went out to a party... I didn't want you to see me like this either."

"Like what, baby?" He pressed.

"A mess," I got a little choked up. "I haven't been able to eat much or see anyone. You're the first person that I've seen since that night besides Mike and Violet..."

"Did Mike kick his ass?" I nodded. "I saw he had a black eye and wondered how he'd got it. Now it makes sense."

It was briefly silent after that. But Luke broke it once more to ask me another question.

"I know that you've been trying not to smoke and party as much for me and that means the world to me. I also really like how we've become so close over the last few months. But I really just wanted to know why you wouldn't tell me that you were attacked by some asshole."

"I didn't want you to see me after I stopped being good for you, to be fucking honest. I thought you would be disappointed in me." I sniffled.

"Everyone needs to party every once in awhile." He smiled. I could hear it in his voice. The first night I met him was his first party ever and he was lost as shit. But he did know that beer was inside that keg.

"I didn't even smoke anything." I said proudly. "But I didn't want to tell you anything because I felt that you would only pity me and I don't need anymore of that."

He was shocked when I said that. He moved me from his chest, sitting me upright.

"I wouldn't pity you. I would have protected you, like I did to those ass holes at the party. I would do anything for you, Zoe."

If my heart didn't melt before, it sure as hell melted right then and there.

Luke cared for me.

"I wanted to tell you. I needed you there at the party. There was just some voice telling me that I shouldn't. It could've been having parents who don't give a shit about you and now finally having someone that I want to be good for..." I mumbled.

He grabbed my face and kissed me deeply.

"You still have me." He cooed. "Now, shut up. You're ruining the moment."

A/N: OMFG AWW I SHIP ZUKE :) anyway, I have some AP testing coming up so I will try to update sometime again soon. Thanks for reading!! xx