More Than Friends

Part 100 (Hardin)

⚠️ TRIGGER WARNING - SEXUAL ASSAULT AND SUICIDAL THOUGHTS! ⚠️

Sunday morning I wake up to a soft voice in my ear.

"Hardin?" Tessa asks, still half asleep.

"You okay, Tess?" I ask as I brush her hair off her forehead.

"What are you doing home already?"

"You mean you don't remember last night?"

"No..."

"Then maybe you shouldn't drink so much next time, Theresa," I scold.

"Is that why my head hurts so badly?" she groans.

"Tessa, what the hell happened to make you drink so much? And who the fuck is 'him'?"

"Hardin, what exactly did I tell you last night?"

"Something about having to see him again. You weren't making much sense."

"Hardin, we need to talk," Tessa sighs.

"I don't like the sound of that," I say as I sit up in bed.

"You know I love you, right?"

"Tessa..."

"Right?" she repeats.

"Yes, of course I know."

"It's just... Well, I was thinking maybe we should take a break... from us."

"No way. Why would you even suggest that? Please, tell me what is going on right now, Tessa."

"It's Neil."

"What? What about Neil? Did he come near you again?" I ask angrily.

"I got a call yesterday that it's time for his trial and I have to testify against him," she starts to cry as she explains.

"That's what you meant by they're going to make you see him?"

"Yes," she sniffles.

"I'm so sorry, baby." I pull her into a hug.

"I don't think I can do it. That's why I started drinking yesterday. Just the thought of having to see him again made me want to... Well, it made me want to hurt myself," she cries into my shoulder.

I pull back and look into her eyes. "Don't ever say that. Tess, don't ever say that again," I warn and then hug her again, tighter than last time.

"Hardin, I think we need to take a break," she says as she pulls out of our embrace.

"Why do you keep saying that, Tessa?"

"Hardin," she begins as she takes my hands in hers, "Ever since I came into your life, I've been turning it upside down with one problem after another. You don't deserve that. You deserve a girl who can bring you only happiness."

"Tessa, you bring me happiness. I've never been happier in my entire life. That's all thanks to you."

"Hardin..."

"No!"

"Hardin! Listen to me! Please?"

I stay silent, even though I don't want to hear any more of this nonsense.

"They're going to make me explain every single detail of what happened that night. I don't want to put you through that."

"Tess, you already told me what happened that night. We got through it together, just like we always do."

"It will be different listening to it in a court room full of strangers and Neil," she explains as she starts to cry again.

"I'm not letting you go through this alone."

"Are you really ready to hear about how his fingers started to undo my pants and he was getting ready to shove his-"

"Enough!" I shout as I jump up from the bed.

"Exactly. But you won't be able to stop me in court."

"Of course I don't want to hear this again. I don't want to remember what could have happened to the love of my life that night. I don't want to see Neil's fucking face. I want to connect my fist with it."

"We'll just take a little break, until I can finally put this all behind me. Then, if you still want-"

"If?! Tessa, stop. We're not breaking up, I'm going to be by your side the entire time and I'm going to rip Neil's dick off!" I shout.

"I wouldn't stop you, but the bailiff might."

"I don't fucking care. It would be what he deserves."

"I'm sure you won't be the only boyfriend wanting to do that. The other girls who came forward will be testifying, too."

"Then I'll be doing a community service."

"I still don't think this is a good idea. I know how protective you are, but you can't act like you usually do in court."

"I know," I groan. "Just tell me we're not breaking up and you'll let me be there for you."

"Okay, Hardin, if you're sure."

"Tess, you're the only thing I am sure about. I love you with all my heart," I say as I hug her and kiss the top of her head.