The Label Maker

CHAPTER FIFTEEN: CHEMISTRY

RJ waited patiently for Gwen. She opened her mouth multiple times, but each time she closed it. The clock on Gwen's nightstand read 10:54. It was so late, and even though Gwen was trying to tell her story, she wondered why her parents haven't kicked RJ out. After all he was a boy and it was almost eleven and they were in her room with the door closed. She made a note to ask about it later. She took a deep breath and readied herself.

"I think he was drinking," she states, looking at RJ. He stopped rocking the chair back and forth. Everything in the room, including their breathless bodies was still. "I could smell the alcohol on his breath," she further states.

"Can you start from the beginning?" He asks, steadying himself on the chair.

"Well I was going over to play and feed Apollo like I usually have been for the past five days. Leo needed his new dog watched since they are up in Minnesota for Thanksgiving. So I went over today like normal at around I don't know, six," she pauses to regain her breath. Her body was shaking and she didn't know whether it was from fear or cold.

"Then what?" RJ asks, leaning forward in his chair.

"I chased him around the yard, came in and fed him too. After he was done eating I let him out again. As I was getting on my jacket, as I was." She paused and lowered her head. She looked up and RJ was staring at her, waiting for her to go on, but also silently telling her to take her time. She inhaled, held her breath for several moments, exhaled, and then continued.

"As I was getting on my jacket," she continues, "I heard a noise upstairs. I wanted to make sure everything was okay so I went to check it out. It was Leo's dad. He said he was home early because of work. Then he walked me downstairs. And he, he, and, and he hugged me, but his hands were awfully low. And then, then, then he started to tighten his grip and pushed me around. He pushed me against the wall and he, he crushed me. He hurt me. I couldn't move. I was helpless. I was weak," she whispers, letting her head fall into her knees. Her body began to heave as soft sobs poured out of her. She felt the bed sink next to her. RJ lifted Gwen's chin softly. She flinched at his touch. He slightly pulled his hand away, but then he understood.

"I'm not going to hurt you Gwen," he promises. She nods his head.

"I just, I didn't do anything. I didn't fight back. I didn't scream. I was weak. I didn't do anything. I didn't." She was cut off short by a fit of coughs. After she was done RJ passed the glass of water that was always on her nightstand to her.

"Thank you," she whispers.

"Gwen you didn't do anything wrong," he tells her.

"But I could have done something," she protests.

"No Gwen. Look at me," RJ commands, a sudden change in tone. Gwen's eyes filled with terror. He didn't back down.

"You didn't do anything wrong. There was nothing that you could have done. You were put into a tough and uncomfortable situation. It's alright if you didn't do anything. You were under a lot of pressure and stress," he explains. He didn't remove his hand from her chin.

"Do you understand?" He asks her.

"Yes," she answers.

"Do you understand?" He repeats.

"I just said yes," she hisses.

"I'm just making sure," he apologizes.

"Why are you here?" Gwen blurts. RJ let his hand fall.

"Well I did save you from sexual assault, but whatever," he brushes off.

"No. I know you did that. But like why did you ever even show up? I didn't invite you over," she informs.