Mitch POV
I stared at Scott's face while he napped on the couch, his peaceful breathing creating a calming effect on me. I tried to keep my mind from thinking about his lips, but it was hard. He was just so perfect. No. I thought. You can't do this. He's your best friend. I tried to shake off my feelings, but realizing how hard it was, I stood up and walked to my bedroom. I had to make myself think about something else.
Ever since he finally came out, all I could think about was being with him. I'd wanted it for a long time, I'd just never realized it until I found out that there was actually a chance of us being together. I sat on my bed, putting my head in my hands. Why was life so difficult? Scott was the only man I could ever see myself with, and yet he was completely off limits.
The sleeves of my sweater slipped down my arm, revealing my wrists, and the fresh cuts that covered them. I swiftly slid my sleeves back up and grabbed the edge of my shirt in each hand. I didn't want to see the scars. They reminded me of how weak I was. I was weak. After my last relationship ended badly, I fell into a deep depression. I started to drink and party and hook up with random guys, and finally when nothing else seemed to numb the pain I began to cut. I wasn't proud of it.
Scott didn't know, nor would he ever find out. I hadn't even told him the reason that my last relationship ended, or at least, not the real one. I knew it would make him angry so I just kept it to myself. A lonely tear slid down my cheek as dark thoughts consumed my brain. Ususally I'd wait until Scott was out of the house before I'd cut myself, but it seemed so tempting right now. I tip-toed quickly back out to the living room to make sure that he was really asleep, and on my way back to my bedroom, my toe rammed against a side table.
"Shit!" I yelled, jumping on one foot and grabbing my toe.
Scott woke up, startled. He looked at me just as I put my foot back down on the ground. "What happened?" He muttered, rubbing his eyes.
"Nothing," I said softly, angry that I'd ruined my opportunity. "Go back to sleep. Everything's fine." My voice broke on the word 'fine' and more tears began to slip down my face.
I quickly turned away and began to walk toward my bedroom, hoping that in his sleepy state he wouldn't have noticed the tears. I had no such luck. As I tried to push my door shut, I felt something stop it. Scott easily pushed the door open, and then wrapped his arms around me.
"Mitchie? What's wrong?" He asked.
I sniffled into his chest, trying to stop the sobs. But they just kept coming. "Nothing. I-I'm sorry." I mumbled against his shirt.
"I know that's not true." He whispered calmly. "What is it?"
I let the words slip out before I could stop myself. "I have to tell you something." No! I screamed in my mind.
Scott pulled away from the hug, looking me in the eye. "Okay."
"I was raped."
Scott POV
"W-what?" I stumbled, running his words over in my mind again.
Mitch sighed and sat down on his bed. He patted the area beside him, wanting me to join. In my numb state I wasn't sure my legs could move, but I forced them. I sat down beside him, waiting for him to continue.
"It was Trevor." He said.
Anger boiled inside of me. "Trevor?" I repeated, not even trying to hide the hatred in my tone.
"Scotty," Mitch said, almost sounding like he was begging, "Please don't be upset. I only wanted to tell you because keeping it to myself this whole time has been killing me."
"When?" I asked through my teeth. No matter what Mitch said there was no way this could not make me upset.
He sighed sadly, "Shortly before I broke up with him." He was quiet for a minute, contemplating.
"Is there something else?" I asked, knowing by his expression that there was
He breathed in deeply, obviously this next part was difficult for him. "You know how I changed phone numbers a couple months back?" He asked.
"Yeah, you said there was a screw-up with the phone company."
He shook his head. "That was a lie. After he...you know...Trevor wouldn't leave me alone. He kept showing up at the house every time you'd leave and he would call me or text me hundreds of times every day. I tried to hide it from you because I was embarrassed."
I was about to say something when Mitch continued.
"He tried to hurt me. Even after the rape." Mitch whispered. "I finally threatened to call the police and I changed my number, but even now I try not to ever be alone. Have you ever noticed how whenever you leave the house, I always offer to go with you?"
I nodded. I had noticed, but it hadn't really meant anything to me until now. The only thing keeping me from jumping up, driving to Trevor's house, and beating the shit out of him was Mitch's trembling hand on top of mine.
I loved the feeling of his touch, it was a comfort for me. I loved him. I loved him as more than a friend, but I knew that he wouldn't want it to be like that, so I kept my feelings locked away. He buried his face in my chest and soft sobs erupted from him.
Tears streamed down my face as well. The thought of my best friend being in so much pain for so long and me not even realizing it made me feel so damn guilty. I kissed the top of his head gently.
"It'll be okay, Mitchie." I whispered. "That bastard will pay for this."
He suddenly jumped to his feet. "No!" He yelled. "Please don't do anything about this. I just had to tell you because I couldn't keep it to myself anymore."
"You can't just let him get away with this!" I told him.
His pleading, brown eyes made me melt, and I pulled him into my lap.
"Fine." I said, giving in (for now). "I promise I won't do anything."
"Thanks." He said cuddling his head into the crook of my arm.
"And Mitch?" I said. "Please never hesitate to tell me anything. You're my best friend and I don't ever want anything to happen to you ever again."
He was silent. I could feel him tensing up in my arms.
"Is there something else you need to tell me?" I asked, my own body tensing. I couldn't imagine anything worse than what he'd just told me, and my heart ached knowing that there must be something else.
Mitch shook his head. He was obviously lying, but I'd let it go for the time being. He needed me right now and I would be there for him no matter what. Always.
