Roommates

chapter 5

Since the party, I've started going to therapy every day.  Shanice, my therapist, constantly stresses how important it is for me to embrace my feelings in order to avoid a nervous breakdown.

I'm doing pretty well with that and Lee is a big help.  He sleeps with me every night, because I've had trouble sleeping, and he's always there when I need him.

For the most part, not many people know I'm the girl who was almost raped at the party; but if they do, they won't say anything about it.

Almost immediately after the party, a few women's studies majors created several social media posts about the party and it blew up.

Lee's been put at the forefront of it, the video of him beating Cullen then rescuing me has put him in the savior spotlight. But, he refuses to talk about the situation, who I am, and who Cullen is.

He's adamant about respecting my want for privacy.

I don't want any attention from this party and I don't need any attention from this party.  I'm barely rebounding from it, as it is.

Because of this, I decided not to make myself known or press any charges. I'm choosing to appreciate the fact that it didn't get too far.

One day, I asked Lee about Cullen.  He told me that Cullen goes to Drexel and he's originally from Pittsburgh.  Lee and his friends met Cullen 2 years ago, and about a year ago, Cullen was accused of actually raping a girl, she went to Drexel too.

Lee and his friends didn't believe it, but as of now, they're starting to contemplate that choice.

I sat at my desk at Vyn's, the tattoo shop I work at, and idly sketched.  Drawing has helped me a lot, when I draw I don't have to think a lot. I feel free to let myself go and run with my imagination.

The silver bell to the door rung and I looked up with a smile.

"Welcome to Vyn's, how- Ryan?"

Ryan stood by the door with his hands in his pockets.

"Hey, Zoe, I just wanted to drop by, I was in the area."

My throat dried instantly.  I know if I even attempted to speak, my sentence wouldn't come together as I wanted it to.  All I can do is nod.

"I've noticed you've been kinda distant in class.  Is it the rape thing?" He whispered, stepping closer.

My eyes widened and I held my breath.

Does he know?

"Yeah, a lot of feminists are on edge because of it.  That poor girl."

I let the breath go and nodded.

"Yeah."

Now, I just want Ryan out of here.

"So, I see you're not too busy-"

The bell rang again and I could feel myself perk up.

I recognized his faint scent and smiled.

Lee.

"Excuse me."

I stood and hugged Lee, feeling all of my anxiety and worry water down.

"Hey, mama.  I brought you some food." Lee replied with his arm wrapped around me and his eyes trained on Ryan.

He's not really fond of males I don't associate with being really close to me these days.

"I'll see you later, Zoe." Ryan smiled, looking directly into Lee's eyes.

Lee waited for Ryan to leave then pulled us to the backroom where we usually eat together.