A Million Reasons (Clony)

Chapter 16

"What?" He shouted, shocked, confused, and everything in between.

"Bryce........ made m-me......." I couldn't get the words out.

"Shhhh. Clay. You don't have to tell me any more." He ran his hands through my hair.

"How.... do I go on Tony?" I sobbed.

"I don't know. I wish I did." He caressed me more. "But you better know I'm here."I cried and nodded my head on his chest."Do you want me to sing to you?" I nodded again smearing my tears on his shirt.

"Sing me to sleep.... sing me to sleep...." he started. His singing was soft. That was one of my favorite songs. How did he know? I continued to sob and listen to his voice as if it was a lullaby.

"I don't want to wake up on my own anymore~"

I eventually stopped crying. I still held on tight. "There is a better world."My breathing still hitched now and again. But I think I started to heal.

~*~*~*~

"Clay." He ran his finger through my hair. "I'm so sorry."

"Do-Don't apologize. You didn't. Know." I sniffled.

"I'm going to kill him." He spat.

"No!" I looked at him. "What the hell are you thinking?"

"I'm thinking he hurt my baby and he needs to be punished." His voice like poison directed to Bryce.

"Let the court take care of that tomorrow." I laid back down on him. "I don't want you to get in trouble for me. All I want is for you to cuddle with me." I snuggled into him and breathed his scent in.

"If that's what you want Clay. I just want to make sure I protect you."

"Don't worry. You've already done way more than anyone has." I stayed on him. "I wouldn't be here without you.." I wasn't lying.

~*~*~

"Mr. Jensen, what is your perspective on the relationship between Bryce Walker, Hannah, and Jessica" I sat in the court. I felt alone up here on my own. I wish Tony could be up here with me.

"Um, I don't think it was good."

"Objection, your honor, speculation." Another woman stood up. I already hated her. How could she defend him.

"I'll uh, rephrase. It was, not good. Bryce would harass people in the halls. He even sent that picture of Hannah around..." I said. Not making eye contact.

"And you saw all of this Mr. Jensen?"

"Yes."

"Were you ever harassed by Mr. Walker?" The man asked.

I looked at Mr. And Mrs. Baker. They looked nervous.

"Yes." I said quietly into the microphone.

"Can you tell us about one of those experiences?"

"He.... he. Um....." I looked up. Bryce was glaring me down like a hawk. I felt drops roll down my cheeks. I was looking at my shoes. "He.raped me." I felt the crushing weight of all of it. I started to sob in front of everyone. I tried to cover my face with my hands to no avail. I got up and ran out of the court. I heard someone follow.

I sprinted to the nearest stall in the bathroom and puked my stomach contents into the toilet. The door opened and I heard the footsteps searching for me. Tony. I was kneeling on the floor still hovering over the toilet just incase there was more.

He came and rubbed my back with his hand, while he checked my temperature with the other. "Shhh." He said as I continued to cry. "Better out than in Clay. Get everything out." I hunched over again gagging. More vomit came out of me. Tony patted my back. "It's okay Clay. Everything will be fine." He grabbed toilet paper and handed it to me to wipe my face. I did. "Do you want to go home?" I nodded. "I'll got tell your mom we are going back home." He lifted me up and took me to the sink so I could get some water. He walked next to me so I could stay stable and sat me on the bench before he went in to tell my mom.

~*~

He closed the door to the mustang and I reclined the seat all the way.

He reached over when he got in and rubbed my head real quick. I fell asleep.

~*~*~

I woke up again, on my bed next to him. He checked my forehead with the back of his hand.

"Your temperature is down now. Are you feeling better?" He asked. Hugging me more.

"Yea." I pushed myself up. "I just need to brush my teeth now." He followed me, hugging me from behind the whole time.

"That was real brave Clay, now Hannah might actually get what she needed." I smiled. Looking at him through the mirror.

"I'll never stop needing you Tony." He put his head into the crook of my neck. And when I was finished he carried me off to bed.

So another chapter. Sorry about the wait, my friend had surgery so I have been helping her out for a few days now. I hope you liked this chapter. Kinda cute but sad. Oh well. And let's talk about those reads! Over 400! Thanks!! I'm glad all of y'all like it.
                                       ~Jonathan.