Ain't no sunshine

He's still family

SEXUAL ASSAULT TRIGGER WARNING ⚠️

Lydia and Cora sat staring at each other while eating their cereal in silence.

"Are we just gonna pretend the other day didn't happen with c-" Lydia interrupted

"Yep."

"But-"

Lydia looked her right in the eye "We don't need to talk about it because you know it was stupid. If you wanted a lecture you would've told mom. Forget about him and what happened. It's too dangerous to be getting into his problems." then she continued eating her cocoa puffs.

Lydia's phone buzzed and she grabbed it. "Caroline's on her way over." she announced then put her bowl in the sink for Cora to clean up then left the room.

Cora took the free moment to text Jake her address.

can't wait :)

her phone buzzed back in moments

She smiled and went to clean up their dishes.

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Later that night Jake drove over to the Prescott house for the party. The house was just as imagined, white painted large pillars holding up porches and uncountable stories.The biggest house in town by far, in Akron that says a lot. Then there's the dunk teenagers falling all over  the furniture in the lawn that's definitely not supposed to be there.

He entered the main doors and was welcomed by very loud music and a drink being thrown into his hands.

Jake began walking around to find Cora.

After searching the whole yard and downstairs he walked up the stairs. Jake guessed it was aloud by seeing all the couples making out on the wooden steps and and against the white walls.

Then came a loud scream from downstairs.

Jake ran downstairs and pushed through the dancing crowd searching for the source.

Standing there in a red dress and black heels was a scared looking Cora being held by a tall man in a black leather jacket and an angry face.

"What's the problem?" Jake asked the man

The man let go of Cora out of intimidation.

"She was going though my phone."The man snapped.

"I'm sure it's just a misunderstanding." Jake nodded his head signaling Cora to come stand behind him. "You should leave before there's any trouble."

The man snarled at Jake as he left the house.

Jake turned to Cora with a questioning look.

"It's been a long night. " she responds. "Wanna go watch a movie in my room?"

He knew they wouldn't be able to hear the movie in there but he agreed and gave into her escape method.

They began up the stairs before she turned and spoke into his ear so he could hear her. "Wanna go somewhere else instead?" he nodded in agreement.

She grabbed her keys that were hidden from the guest and went to her car. She just started driving and they sat in silence. Before she even realized it, she was at the tree.

They sat there. Jake staring at Cora, Cora staring at the tree. The tree that made their problems always go away. They never heard there parents fight there, they could play all day long, no one ever forgot about her there.

"Cora?" Jake says softly. she looks up suddenly remembering he's here.

"This is why I never party." she laugh softly.

"Wanna tell me what just happened back there?" Jake asked calmly.

"My brother got into some trouble with the law awhile back and my family shunned him. He called me the other day and said he was in trouble so I had to help, but Lydia found out and told me not too. But tonight she wanted do something she lined up a guy who was a friend in his situation and I was gonna check his phone and find out what's going on but the douche caught me." she said spitting it out

"woah." he said quietly

"He murdered someone." she says flatly looking down.

Jake looked up quickly.

"He was an addict, the idiot had a real future. He partied and got addicted. The money started adding up. Instead of asking for help he joined a gang to protect him from a few dealers and druggies. Of course their were rival gangs. His won in a stupid fight and a guy got mad and stole Lydia. " she paused to breathe.

"You don't have to- " Jake started

"I need to talk about it." she looked up and continued. "Caleb killed the guy.The paper said he got out a week ago for tampered evidence. Apparently that's code for his gang messing with stuff to get him out. " she looked down again.

He touched her hand in reassurance.

"The bastard raped Lydia. She refuses to admit it." Cora wipes a tear away "They found the evidence. What Caleb did was stupid but it's not all his fault. Now that he's out of jail, who knows who's after him." she looked at him sadly.

He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into a tight embrace.

"You don't have to go home." He said

She wiped her tears "I have been so tired of keeping it all in and acting like it all didn't happen. It happened." He nodded

"We all have our secrets." He stated to her and they sat listening to music until sunrise.

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This chapter was so heavy!!!!

How was everyone's thanksgiving? (If you celebrate)

discussion

What do you think about Caleb and Lydia's relationship now?

Would you've helped him if you were Lydia?

Do you think Lydia actually cares about Caleb or Cora?