Looking For Relief

Chapter 11

Callie's POV

Sexual Abuse? I swear the universe hates me. I don't need to do research on that, I can just write about living in my freaking house! And out of all people, I'm partnered with Bryce?

Fuck my life. Just fuck it.

Bryce probably thinks I'm a psychopath for running away from him the way I did. It wasn't like a bunch of guys weren't doing the same exact thing to a bunch of other girls that night, but John has scarred me, and freaking out is just my natural reaction, to simply being.. touched.

That was the night Harry saved me from him. Ever since we've gotten back to school, neither of us have mentioned it. But I am still very happy that he did.

Hopefully, Bryce was too drunk to remember.

I go and sit down at a pair of empty desks in the back corner and wait for Bryce. After about 5 minutes of waiting, he finally strolls into class, late as usual. He looks at the list of names and looks about as shocked as I was when I found out who my partner and topic was.

Bryce walks back to where I am sitting," Hey Callie.. How's it going?" he tries to act cheerful but I can see through him. I guess he does remember that dumb party. Why did I let Ally drag me to that thing anyway?

"Hi Bryce... Are you ready to get started?" I try and sound as pleasant and upbeat as possible but I avoid eye contact with him.

"Sure."

"Okay, first off we need to research to understand the basics of sexual abuse.."

We both grab our phones and click on Safari.

Sexual abuse. Enter.

sexual assault: a statutory offense that provides that it is a crime to knowingly cause another person to engage in an unwanted sexual act by force or threat.

Yup, that's life.

"Later on, I will look for statistics and you can look for short and long term effects of sexual abuse." I say. I always take the lead in projects. I don't want to get bad grades because people are lazy. People usually look surprised to find out that I am pretty smart.

"Alright." He says. It's a little awkward between us and it's making me slightly uncomfortable.

For the most of the class,we silently look on our phones and jot down the information we find on our notebooks. 10 mins before the bell rings Ms. Payton calls out,

"Okay guys, talk about what you found and create a game plan for your project with your partner."

I turn to Bryce," I will type all of this up tonight."

"Are you sure? I can type some too." he says nicely.. Hmm, nice surprise.

"Alright, I'll type what you found and you can type what I found."

"Okay. Callie I just wanted to let you know... I am really sorry about what happened at that party this Summer. I had just been dumped by my girlfriend and I had a lot to drink that night. I know that's no excuse to force myself on you but I hope you can understand and forgive me. I swear I was going to apologize earlier, but Harry told me to stay away from you. I hope we can be friends." Bryce says timidly.

"I forgive you, Bryce. Thanks for apologizing, it really means a lot. And of course we can." I don't agree with what he did that night, but I can't hate him forever. We are stuck together for a whole semester. Plus, it was extremely big of him to apologize.

When did Harry tell him to stay away from me, and why did he care so much about my well being?

"Thanks for being such a big person about this." Bryce begins, "Since we are friends now, you want to walk to second period together? I-i mean if you don't want to that's completely fin-" I never in a million years thought Bryce would be so.. shy and kind.

"That'd be great."

Harry's POV

Ally acts like she didn't crush me last night with her news. She smiles at me and flirts with me like crazy. I flirt back too, I know it's wrong to flirt with Callie's best friend, but Callie doesn't like me. So why should it matter?

The more I think about it the more I want to take Ally up on that invitation on getting over Callie. I could use a distraction right now.

Right now we are at the lab tables. She is sitting quite close to me, so close I can smell her perfume. It doesn't smell as good as Callie's.

Stop thinking about her you dumb ass.

I put my hand on Ally's thigh. It's bare since her skirt is so short. I squeeze it a little and she giggles. I bring my lips near her ear and whisper in my low seductive voice

"How about we go get something to eat after school?"

"I would love to." she says back while giggling.

The bell rings and I grab my stuff and head to Art. Callie is in that class. Fuck!

I wasn't prepared to see her. The more I see her, hear her laugh, and hear her voice the harder it will be to get over her.

"Hehehe" Her laugh sounds so real right now. I have to get over her and fast.

"Hehehe" her giggles continue to feel my mind when I realize they are real.

And the cause of her giggles are because of.. Bryce?

I told him to stay away from her after the day of that party! He forced himself on her and I could tell she was very afraid and helpless.

He disgusts me.

Before I realize my actions, I have Bryce pinned up against the locker.

A/N Bryce is pictured as Chris Zylka. Thanks for reading. Comment, Vote, and Share! XOXOXOXOXOXO