The Things We Share

Chapter Sixteen

Matt showed up for her release. Her mom was stil undergoing questioning, so we were the ones to drive her home. Actually, we went back to my place.

"I... I still want to go to the party with you two tomorrow."

We both looked at her wide-eyed after she stayed such a thing as we stopped at a traffic light.

"No." I stated first.

"No way." Matt added.

"Please."she begged. "I want to feel normal. Going and doing crazy things with my friends has been the only way I've ever been able to cope."

"Don't push yourself, Cordia." I pleaded, keeping my gaze on her as Matt started to drive again.

"I'm not. Please you two. Take me to the party. They might... They might be taking me from my mom. If they do that I might not ever see you two again. Can we at least have one last hurrah?"

I looked over at Matt, and he grimaced slightly. He and I both knew neither of us could say no to the girl. So naturally we said yes.

First, we went to my house where Cordia opened up the rest of her present. She smiled and thanked me, giving me a big hug. Then, we went to Matt's house. We watched the movie I got him, Cordia snuggled between both Matt and I as if we were protecting her. Neither of us complained. We would protect her.

Near the end of the movie, my phone rang. Matt and Cordia gave me this disdainful look, which I made a "I'm sorry!" face to. I quickly left the room, and answered.

"Yeah dad?" I closed the door behind myself, whispering.

"Where are you three?"

"Oh, we went over to Matt's to watch a movie and play some video games. Stuff to help her relax. We hope."

"Well, her step brother is going to take the case go to court. His story is she asked him to. Said she was a masochist, whatever that is, and begged for it. He's put a ton of thought into his story and everything, but I'm going to get the best lawyer that I can get my hands on. Okay, I just wanted to fill you in. Get back to your friends."

"Thanks dad." I smiled slightly, and hung up the phone.

We finished the movie, then started up Mario kart. We didn't start right away, instead we walked into Matt's kitchen where we gathered some junk food and a multitude of drinks. Matt's mother greeted us, smiling carefully at Cordia.  If Cordia noticed, I couldn't tell for she just smiled kindly back, thanking her for letting us hang out in her room.

When we started playing the game (I was Mario, Cordia Princess Peach, and Matt was Luigi.) Cordia asked me about the phone call. I was reluctant at first to tell her, but I ended up doing so anyways. As I told her about her stepbrother taking the situation to court, she and Matt both stiffened. I then told them how my dad was going to take care of everything.

We continued to play, easily settling into a more comfortable mood. We began to joke around, throwing food and swearing at each other each time we managed to mess the other up. Cordia and I had started teaming up on Matt, further pissing him off. He was still grinning the whole time, though.

Cordia was the first to drop out, propping her legs up on Matt's lap and resting her head on mine. She fell asleep in no time. Matt and I continued to play, silence enveloping us as we did.

After three races, he finally spoke up, "So.. When you found her was she, y'know."

"Her bruises were just rising, and she was bloodied up too. She had her clothes on, which she probably put them back on herself. She was alone. In fact, there was no one at the park. That's probably why it happened.." I trailed off for a minute, "She was shaken up really bad. She was freezing too."

"How are you so calm?" He raised his voice slightly, then guilty looked down at Cordia's figure to make sure he hadn't woken her up.

"If I freaked out, the situation would've been messier. Trust me, I had my melt down when I was alone. I was pissed. I mean, she's one of my best friends. I hate that shithead of a stepbrother she has too. But I can't do anything to him that will help the situation. Right now, Cordia doesn't need more chaos. I'm trying to help her keep her mind off of things."

He was silent for a few minutes, "How long do you think it's been going on."

"Two years at the most." I mumbled, "She's used to it all by now. It's just, now it's all being shook up and revealed. All of the memories she's tried to lock away are resurfacing. She really needs us right now, Matt."

Again, I was first met by a looming silence. He was probably thinking.

"I know.." He finally mustered, his voice cracking slightly, "I know.."

We then continued to play the video game, before we also felt exhausted. Matt carefully moved Cordia to his bed, tucking her in, then we collapsed back on the couch. He was snoring in no time, leaving me to my thoughts.

I actually hadn't had a break down yet. Why, I didn't know. I should have, but I didn't. Once I saw her the natural thing would've been to blow up.

The other thing that kept me awake was how Cordia was responding to all of this. Sure, she cried and melted a ton, but... Well, I guess if this has been going on for a while. I'm just worried for her. I'm worried that she is pushing herself. I'm also worried that she thinks she was getting what she deserved. She didn't deserve it.

The last thing to cross my mind, before I finally passed out, was the on coming case.

Everything was becoming chaos itself.