𝐋𝐄𝐓 𝐈𝐓 𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐄𝐍 / alex standall ✓

𝟒𝟔. her story

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ 𝐋𝐄𝐓 𝐈𝐓 𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐄𝐍
46 / HER STORY
↳ season two, episode six: the smile at the end of the dock
act two / the polaroids

!! TW: SEXUAL ASSAULT !!

𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐓 𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐃 𝐒𝐎𝐎𝐍 after Zach's stories, and Nessa was exhausted. She was so proud of Zach, though, for owning up to how much he cared about Hannah. Mrs. Dempsey was silent the entire drive home, and didn't even say a single word when Zach said he had to go to practice, and that Nessa was going to support group with Jessica today.

The siblings got in Zach's car, an awkward tension filling the air between them.

"You did good today, Z." Nessa finally said, breaking the silence between them.

Zach swallowed, keeping his eyes locked on the road in front of him. "Thanks, Ness. I tried."

"Well, I'm proud of you." Nessa told him. Zach pulled up to the school, dropping Nessa off at the front, where Jessica was waiting for her.

"I'm helping Alex with PT later, think you could get a ride?" Zach asked, and Nessa nodded.

"I'll catch one with Jess and her dad." Nessa told him. "See you at home, tell Alex I love him and I'll call him later."

Nessa got out of the car and met Jessica, who wrapped her in a huge hug. The two girls had both considered sharing their stories today, and they were both terrified.

"You ready for this?" Jessica said as she walked into the school with Nessa by her side.

"No, but you always do make me stronger." Nessa said as she smiled. Jessica wrapped an arm around her and smiled as they walked into the room where the support group was.

After some greetings from Nina, who was the reason either of them were both here, Jessica went first. Nessa held her hand as she listened to every gory detail, and got her tissues when she needed them. When Jessica was done, she clapped for her and gave her the biggest hug.

"Very proud." Nessa whispered as Jessica sniffled, offering her a kind smile.

"Alright." Nessa announced once the chatter had died down. "Here we go, I guess."

Jessica grabbed her hand once again, comforting Nessa as she began to share her story in a group of people for the first time. The only time she had ever talked about this was with her mother and her therapist, and she hadn't told either of them who the assailant was. She couldn't get the words out.

"About five months ago, I went to a party with my boyfriend, my brother, and all of my best friends." Nessa began, taking a slow and deep breath. "Not really a party, but a gettogether. It was common."

"I was in the hot tub with everyone, but then my boyfriend left to go play a video game with his friends, and eventually, everyone else got out too."

Jessica shifted uncomfortably next to her, knowing that she was the last one to leave that night. It haunted her a lot, actually. She hadn't quite forgiven herself.