Serena

19-Karma

The next day, I woke up early and left the house before my brothers were awake. I had texted Gemma the day before to ask if she could pick me up, and she had immediately agreed, being the sweet girl she is.

As I sat in the car with her, it suddenly dawned on me that Gemma had been at the party with me the night before.

The vivid memory of her presence at the event flashed through my mind. Just as I was about to speak and bring it up, she broke the silence first, cutting through the quiet atmosphere with her words.

"I'm sorry for leaving you alone yesterday." She said, shifting uncomfortably.

"I had an unexpected situation come up and had to leave early. I meant to text you, but it completely slipped my mind in the rush. I hope you weren't too worried or disrupted."

As Gemma finished her apology, I couldn't help but smile reassuringly. "No worries at all." I replied, genuinely understanding her situation. "I figured something must have come up. It's all good."

She visibly relaxed at my response, a grateful expression crossing her face. "Thanks for being so understanding." She said, her voice tinged with relief.

We drove in comfortable silence for a moment before she spoke again, changing the subject smoothly.

"So, how was the rest of your night after I left? Did you have fun at the party?"

Her question caught me off guard. How should I respond? Should I lie or tell the truth? Should I confide in her about what happened, or keep it to myself?

As Gemma waited for my response, I struggled with conflicting thoughts. Part of me wanted to confide in her, to share the painful truth about Peter's actions.

But another part hesitated, unsure of how she would react or what impact it might have on our friendship.

After a moment of silence that seemed to stretch on, I finally spoke, my voice uncertain yet determined.

"Actually, there's something I need to tell you." I began, my words halting as I gathered my thoughts.

Gemma turned to me, her expression attentive and supportive, encouraging me to continue.

"Last night, after you left the party, Peter...he tried to...he..." My voice faltered, the memories of the unwanted advance still raw and unsettling.

Gemma's eyes widened in concern, her hand reaching out to gently grasp mine.

"You don't have to say anything if you're not ready." She said softly, her voice filled with empathy. "But I'm here for you, whatever you need."

Her understanding and immediate support gave me the strength to continue. "He tried to sexually assault me." I finally managed to say, the words heavy with the height of what had transpired.

Gemma listened attentively, her expression a mix of shock, anger and concern.

"I'm sorry you had to go through that." She said sincerely, her voice steady despite the evident turmoil in her eyes. "Thank you for telling me. It couldn't have been easy."

I nodded, feeling a sense of relief mixed with vulnerability at sharing such a painful experience.

Gemma squeezed my hand gently, offering silent reassurance. "You're not alone in this." She assured me.

I gave her a grateful look, my heart swelling with appreciation for her understanding and kindness.

In that moment, I realised how much her words of support meant to me, offering a sense of comfort.

***

It was lunchtime, and Gemma and I were seated together, discussing the idea of having a movie marathon sometime soon.

The sunlight streamed through the cafeteria's windows, casting a warm glow over our table as we brainstormed which classic films and new releases to include in our lineup.

From my peripheral view, I noticed that my brothers keep glancing at me from time to time. Their curious looks puzzled me, but I decided not to dwell on it.

Instead, I shifted my attention back to the lively conversation with Gemma, discussing our plans for the movie marathon and sharing anecdotes about our favourite films.

The occasional glances from my brothers lingered in the back of my mind, but I pushed aside any concern, enjoying the camaraderie and laughter at our table.

Suddenly, the cafeteria doors swung open, and a palpable silence descended upon the room.

Two officers entered, flanked by our principal, their authoritative stride drawing the attention of everyone as they made their way directly to Peter's table.

Conversations halted, and curious whispers rippled through the air as students and staff alike watched with heightened interest, speculating on the reason for this unexpected visit.

The officers scanned the room briefly, their gaze settling on Peter's table. One of them spoke up, his voice cutting through the tension.

"Who is Peter?" He asked, his tone demanding attention. Peter, visibly startled, slowly raised his hand.

Without missing a beat, the officer continued, his voice stern.

"Peter, we found drugs in your locker." He stated bluntly, his words echoing through the now-silent cafeteria. "You're under arrest."

Gasps and murmurs erupted among the students as the gravity of the situation sank in. Peter looked stunned, his face pale as he processed the accusation.

The principal stood nearby, his expression solemn, as the officers proceeded to escort Peter out of the cafeteria.

As the officers led Peter away, the room buzzed with a mixture of shock and disbelief, leaving an uneasy feeling lingering in the air.

The sound of an incoming message pierced the silence like a distant bell tolling, prompting me to instinctively glance at my phone, curious about who might be reaching out at such a moment.

Lucas: The job is done.

I smirked, a mix of relief and satisfaction washing over me. Lucas had executed our plan flawlessly, ensuring that Peter was taken into custody.

It was a moment of vindication, knowing that justice was being served, albeit through unconventional means.

As I pocketed my phone, I returned my attention to the scene unfolding before me. The officers had let Peter away, and the atmosphere remained tense.

Conversations had resumed in hushed tones, speculation rife among the students about what had transpired.

Gemma glanced at me, concern evident in her eyes, silently asking if I was okay. I nodded slightly, offering her a reassuring smile to indicate that I was fine.

Despite the unexpected interruption and the underlying tension, I knew things would eventually settle down. The important thing was that Peter got what was coming for him.