The boy in the back

Chapter 20: Truth

"Do you find it weird the way Henry was acting last night before he left?" I ask Eva as we get out the car walking into this school for the boys game.

"Yeah it was a bit odd." She nods.

"I hope he's okay." I whisper, mostly to myself.

We go to the canteen and we get ourselves a small bucket of chips each.

I shove a chip into my mouth, cackling at Eva as she drops all of her coins on the floor.

We find our way into the bleachers on the third row and sit down. Both of the teams begin running on.

Henry scans the crowd and i smile at him.

He stops running and his eyes glaze over. He looks around confused, he rubs his eyes, and looks back up behind me.

I turn around, confused on what he's looking at.

I look back and he's running off the court.

I frown, somethings wrong.

Arlo soon goes off the court and that's how we know something has happened.

We both get up and try to get off the bleachers, getting pushed and shoved by people, tripping, trying not to fall down.

I need to get to him.

Arlo looks at me like he's seen a ghost, like someone drained the life out of him slowly.

"Fuck." I squeeze my eyes shut before flying then open, not wanting the image of the night in my head again.

"I-i'm so sorry," I cry, "I shouldn't of said that, this is so stupid, it's not even a big deal, don't worry about it."

I begin to hyperventilate and Arlo still stares at me.

"Please say something, i'm sorry." I whisper between gasps.

It's like he snaps out his trance as he steps toward me, "Don't be sorry."

"I shouldn't of said anything." I shake my head.

"Henry, i get it."

My eyes snap to him.

"Janet. Last year. Touched me."

I already knew this, but him telling me feels so much more different.

"I'm so so-." I can't even finish my sentence before he pulled me into a hug.

I hug him back.

"I'm so sorry that happened to you." He mutters.

I sniffle, "It's okay."

"No, no it's not okay, Henry."

"I'm fine, really."

He doesn't say anything and just holds me.

I don't think i've ever hugged anyone for this long.

"What's going on?" I hear Nellie as the doors push open.

Arlo and i pull away from the hug and i wipe my tears before looking at them.

It's just Nellie and Eva.

They both look between us and come over.

"Why are you crying?" Nellie wipes my cheeks.

"I'm fine."

"If you feel ready, come out." Arlo says grabbing Eva's hand and leaving Nellie and I alone.

I stare at the floor.

"Why are you upset?" Nellie asks so gently.

My eyes shift to her and i want to spill my whole soul out to her.

I trust her so fucking much.

"What's bothering you?" She sits down on the bench and i sit beside her.

I want to tell her.

She told me about her diabetes. She deserves to know about me.

I can't lie to her anymore.

"There's a girl, out there." I gulp.

"A friend?"

I shake my head, "No, no. We went to school together and one night my friends dragged me to a party. I needed a break from the noise so i went upstairs, she followed," Tears run down my cheeks, "And then she um, she raped me."

I hear Nellie suck in a breathe. I don't dare to look at her. This is so embarrassing.

"And so she's here?" Nellie asks.

I nod.

"What does she look like?"

"Ginger, tall, her names Mary."

Nellie is already standing up and she storms away.

My heart thumps deeper as i stand up. Why did i tell her?

She storms away before quickly turning around and coming back to me.

She comes over to me and she wraps her arms around me holding me tightly.

I tangle my arms around her body and my heart swells.

I already feel better.

"I'm so sorry that happened to you, that's fucked."

"I'll be okay."

"I'm here for you, always. And god, that's so fucked."

I nod.

"I'll be back, stay here." She pulls away, kissing me softly.

"Okay." I whisper.

"Please stay here, i'll be back." She asks me again.

"Okay."

And then she leaves me alone in the lockeroom.

im so proud of you henry baby