Learning To Feel Again

Chapter 17

(Haley's P.O.V)

"You're a fucking idiot" I yelled at Asher. 

"Is this about Alex? Look" he pauses and makes eye contact with me, "I'm sorry about some of the things I said. I went too far"

"You got that right" I roll my eyes. 

"But that doesn't give you a right to barge in on me and go off" 

"I don't care!" I yell. "You wanna know where Alex is right now Asher? Do you?" I pause and see him look down at his feet. 

"It's not my business" he shrugs. "We broke up"

"It will be your business soon enough" I look at the driveway and see that his brother's car is here. 'Fuck' "Can we talk in my car?" 

"Why?"

"There are some things that are too critical for listening ears" I whisper to him. I head towards my car and hear the ground crunch as I walk. I get in and wait for him to sit down. 

"So what's so important?" 

"Well you see Alex is at the police station right now. She told Lucas and me something tonight and we convinced her to go. In a way, her child helped convince her too" 

As soon as I said police he perked up. "What? Is she okay?" he says quickly. I almost didn't understand him. 

"I think she is fine, but I think you should talk to her because you don't know the story. You should have never gone off on her" I shake my head in anger. Mostly at Ethan though. 

"Take me to the station" he demands and I almost don't. "Now" he said with a voice that seemed urgent but concerned at the same time. 

"Buckle up" I say and drive off to the station. 

(Alex's P.O.V)

I can't believe I'm finally doing this. It doesn't feel wrong either. It feels right; like I'm making a good choice. 

Lucas and I are sitting in a waiting room waiting for an officer to call my name. Lucas has his arm around me and has been rubbing my back soothingly as I've cried. Happy tears of course. 

The police station isn't as busy as I'd imagine. There aren't many people here and that makes me feel better. "You feeling better?" Lucas asks. 

"Mhm" I sniffle. 

"Good. I know this is hard for you, but I'm so proud of you" he gives me a squeeze.

"Alex Price" a tall woman walks out a door and looks around the small area. 

I stand up and give her a slight smile. "Yes?" 

"Come with me" I begin to follow her, but suddenly the front doors open and Haley walks in with Asher? 

"Alex" he stomps over to me and gives me a once over. He pulls me into a tight embrace and I start crying again. 

"What... a-are yo-u doing here" I cry. 

"Haley told me you were here so I had her drive me over, but I don't know the story" 

"Mrs. Price will you please come with me" the woman says. 

I pull away from Asher and give her a nod and start walking behind her. "I'm coming with" Asher steps next to me. 

"That is up to Mrs. Price" the woman says giving me a look. 

I think about it for a second. Is this really how I want him to find out. Nope, not at all. "Asher I think you should stay here" 

"No" he grabs my hand. "I'm coming" 

I sigh in defeat and agree. I just want to get this over and done with already. "Come on" 

We walk into a bare room and I sit down where the officer nods. "Now what is all this about," she asks. 

"I would like to report a" I pause looking over at Asher as a tear slips down my face. "a rape" I look at Asher and I see him glare at nothing in particular and shake his head. 

"Who are the charges against?" she asks giving Asher a quizzical eye. 

"Um" I rub my arm. "His name is Ethan. Ethan Acosta" 

"What?" Asher yells. 

"Sir calm down," the officer says with a sharp tone. 

"Ethan? My brother? You've got to be kidding" he shakes his head. 

"I'm so sorry I didn't tell you" I cry. "I couldn't" 

He looks at me and suddenly his eyes feel with sadness. He walks to me and gives me a hug. "I'm so sorry" he coos as he rubs my back. 

"Can we get back to the complaint" the officer sighs

I pull away from Asher. "Right"

"Do you have any proof?" 

"Not really. I did have a few bruises but not anymore. It's been a couple of months sine it happened"

"I see" she writes something down. "Would you mind standing up in front of a court to plea your case? 

"No" I say automatically. I'm tired of being scared and tired of this bullshit. 

"Alright. Well I will file this and he will be taken into custody until the trial" she says and gets up. "I will leave you two to talk while I do that" she walks out of the room. 

Asher and I stare at each other. Neither of us sure what to say. "I'm so sorry Asher" I begin to cry again. God I'm tired of the tears. 

"It's not your fault. I just can't believe it. My own brother. But it makes sense. He was so freaking obsessed with you and you were just so cruel towards him" he shakes his head. "How could I be so stupid" he bangs the table. 

"You weren't. I was. I should have told someone. I've kept this secret for too long" I say grabbing his hand and rubbing his knuckles. 

"How long" 

"How long what?"

"How long ago has this happened?"

"A year or so" I shrug. 

"Damn Alex" he shook his head. "I could have protected you. You lived in a fucking house with him. And I don't even know everything that happened" 

"It's not your fault. You didn't have to protect me" I promised

"I know but I wanted to. I love you Alex"

"You still love me?" I ask looking him in the eyes. Not caring that my face was stained with tears. 

"Of course" he hugs me. "I just can't believe that your baby could have been the subject of rape"

"No. This baby is ours. It is not Ethans and will never be. As long as I have a say in it" I place a hand on my stomach. "I love you and this baby" 

"I love you too" he hugs me. 

"So what do we do now?" 

"We work things out and hope for the best. I will help you put his ass in prison" he promised. 

Just hearing him say that had me smiling. I was smiling through the pain. Through the memories. And through the anger. 

A/N: I had no clue what to do so here you go. This story will becoming to a close in four chapters!! Thanks for reading!