Talenny- The Force That Binds Us

c.h.a.p.t.e.r. 1

Penny (17)'s POV:

I woke up with a start. I looked around and fixed my gaze on the features of the room I was in. Why is this not familiar? Grey paint covers the walls and and black shaggy carpet covers the floors. I'm laying on a strange bed, too.

Where am I?
The last thing I remember is going to a party.

Crap. I'm in a stranger's house and slept over. And I can't remember a thing.

I sit up and look at the mess I've made of myself. But I realize I'm naked.

"Where are my clothes?" I say to myself as I frantically search the master bedroom.
I give up and search the dressers for something to wear. The only thing here is an oversized sweater with the title "NYC" embossed in gold over the burgundy front.

Numbly, I walked passed people who are passed out as I make my way to the door. I don't even check the house to figure out where I am before I bolt.

Kayla's POV:

I hope Pen got home safe. We went together to a party and I was the DD. At the end of the night, after 2 drinks, I looked all over the giant house trying to find her. I assumed she had went home via taxi so I left the party.

*Ring* *Ring*

"Hey it's Kayla, who is this?"
"Penny slow down. I can't understand you when you talk fast."
"Take a deep breath. Are you sure you don't remember?"
"Omg Penny, I'm so sorry! Are you okay??!!?!?!?!"
"I'll be over in 10."

I grabbed my keys and left.

Penny's POV:

Raped? Is that what I could call it? Just the sound of it makes me shudder.

Brain knows I'm hurt, but he knows not to bother me because he can't help.

So many questions run through my mind. But who knows the answer to them?
"Hey Pen, your uncle just left to go to HQ but he let me in."

She sees me with streams of tears running down my face and my quivering lip and immediately rushes to my side.

"Oh honey! Come here!" She pulls me into a comforting hug.
I wipe tears as we part and she looks worried.

"I don't..." I choke out,"I don't remember what happened."
"I'm so sorry Penny. I should've been there to take care of you. What happened?"
"I woke up naked... i-in someone's bed." The dam breaks and tears roll off my cheeks.

She pulls me into another hug, trying to comfort me. How did I deserve a friend like her?
She broke the hug, putting her hands on my shoulders and making sure I was looking at her. "Penny, I am sooooo sorry for leaving you at that party! I was supposed to be your guardian angel, and I let you down." She cried a little too.
"Kayla, it's not your fault. Talon's cottage house is huge, and you know I like to leave parties before everyone gets too drunk. It was my fault."
"Getting raped is Not. Your. Fault."
I look down to the floor and shuffle my weight between feet. I look at her with a weak smile and nod. I know it wasn't at all my fault. I was just disappointed at myself for drinking too much.

---
*A week later*

I logged onto my Sarahah account and read through all the messages for the 9th time this week. My body shakes uncontrollably as slut comments keep piling up in my inbox. Of course, everyone knew about the little "incident" minus my side of the story and took to the internet to agonize me about it. I knew I should forget them and get over it, but I couldn't. They were probably true.

---(one week later)---

It has been a week since that incident, and questions have been bottled up inside me for too long. I took my bike and biked to the nearest pharmacy.

The cashier gave me a sympathetic smile and I smiled back, dropping it as I turned around and ran out of there.

I came home, trying to be strong, but I was near my breaking point. I ran to the bathroom and used the product.

---

One or two lines?

It's been the required time for the pregnancy test to complete, and cautiously peeked at the little screen.