hardships | 13 REASONS WHY

fifthteen

"It's easy to hide. To give in to pain."

Tatum walked down her stairs to make breakfast and saw her mom was back.

"Hi sweetie. Why are you up?" her mom asked walking over and gave her a quick hug.

"Cheer practice." 

"Oh, right right. Why don't you have Bryce drive you? Save on gas."  Just then, as if it was right on cue, Bryce walks in. She rolled her eyes but continued making her breakfast.

"You're up early. You got Rodin coming over for a yoga lesson?" Bryce opened the fridge and got things ready to make a protein shake. 

"No. Just wanted to say good morning before you went off to practice." Monty had practice early on the weekends which meant he'd usually spend the night at her house so he'd just go with Bryce but he left a couple days ago to deal with things with his dad. 

"Oh. Why?"

"The girl's mother made a statement in the press, apparently." Her mom said. Tatum rolled her eyes. She knew her mom knew she was friends with Hannah yet, she couldn't even remember her name.

"That girl's name is Hannah mom." 

"Yeah?" her mom completely ignored her.

"You haven't been following it?" Bryce shook his head.

"Uh, Dad and Warren told me to keep my head down, so, you know, that's what I've been doing."

"So school's been fine, then? With all this drama?"

"Yeah, yeah. Everything's great. You know, just gearing up for the season."

"Let me know if you need someone to talk to. Dr. Pierce would be glad to see you. Or your counselor at school. What's his name? Mr. Porter?"

"You didn't even ask me if I wanted to talk to someone after I was fucking raped!" her mom, once again, ignored her. It was like she wasn't there, like she didn't she her own daughter hurting, in pain, begging for help.

"No, thanks. I'm good, Mom." 

"All right, honey. Drive Tatum."

"No, mom, I'm fine."

"Oh, okay." Bryce said.

"Have a great day."

"Yeah, you too."

"Don't work too hard." The two siblings walked to Bryce's Range Rover. She opened the door, threw her bag in the back and hopped into the seat.

"Tate, can we talk?" She shook her head looking out the window.

"Why?"

"Because I want to apolgize."

"For raping Jessica? Really? I'm not he one you should be apologizing too."

"I didn't rape Jess. Seriously. Ask Monty."

"Why Monty? He said he found out the night before I did."

"He did but he's on my side." 

"Of course he is. Can we just drive please." 

During lunch, Tatum was sitting at a table with Monty and the rest of his baseball friends. They were just talking about random crap as Tatum sat there and ate her lunch. Monty was sitting on top of the second table and kept looking behind him.

"Babe, leave them alone." she said, trying to get Monty to stop glaring at Zach.

Lunch time was over, now time to walk to class, or what the boys usually did was, bother the kids in the hallway. It was Scott, Monty, Bryce, Chloe, Tatum, and Zach all walking together. Tatum was holding Monty's hand as Zach was complaining about his history test.

"I'm just worried about it. All right?" 

"Ask your boyfriend for help with history. Oh, wait. He's brain damaged." Tatum smacked his arm. She did it every time after he made a rude comment about Alex, or about anyone of her friends.

"Mont, no." He looked down at her smiling then back up when he heard Bryce's voice.

"You're just jealous he had a brain to damage, Monty." What Bryce said was kind of funny to Tatum but she wouldn't show that. She was still beyond mad at him.

"Guys, if I don't ace this test, I might drop below a C, okay?" Zach says, genuinely scared for his test.

"So play the dad card again. Metcalf will let you slide." Bryce said like it was nothing.

"It's not a card dude." Zach said. Tatum knew Zach didn't like to use his dad's death as an excuse for not studying for a test or for completing his homework. She always tried to be there for him, to support and comfort him. She knew he'd always do the same for her.

"No, I know. Fuck, sorry, brother. You know what I mean." Bryce apologized as they continued walking down the hall.

"If Chloe hadn't stopped doing study group.."

"I'm sorry Zach. I've been so busy with everything." Chloe tried to apologize.

"Yeah, 'everything,' meaning doing Bryce." Monty joked. Tatum shook her head at his childness.

"You're doing Tatum so.." Scott said. Bryce high fived him for that joke. Monty punch his arm. Tatum was about to turn around and walk away before Monty stopped her.

"He won't say it again." Monty whispered. 

"Hey, well, it's Zach fault. He set us up." 

"I gave him your number. The rest of it isn't my fault." Zach said walking up the stairs, Monty and Tatum following him.

"Meaning what, exactly?" 

"Meaning I have to get to class." Zach turned around and walked up the stairs. Monty turned back to look at Bryce and made a face. Tatum was right behind him.

"Move it." Tatum said smacking his ass so he'd go up the stairs.

"ow. that was uncalled for." She stuck her tongue out at him which got her one in return.

+++

Monty and Tatum were back at her house in the backyard. They both said hi to her mom and were headed to the Pool House to chill. 

"I love you," Monty said as his back leaned against the door, Tatum inches away from him. She finally closes the gap between them, pressing her lips against his. He opens the door as they are still kissing. 

"Oh my god!" Chloe yells. Tatum and Monty pull apart and she turns around to see her brothers pants down and Chloe up against the door.

"Shit." Bryce says shaking his head.

"Uh, sorry." Tatum grabs Monty's hand and tries to drag him out of there.

"Nice going Bryce." Tatum slaps Monty and finally drags him out of the room, closing the door behind them. They run hand in hand inside her house and up to her room.

They resume kissing, Monty kicks the door closed with his foot and pushes Tatum back against it. Never breaking the kiss.

Up Next on Hardships:

Tatum and Jess have cheer. They both have to meet with Mr. Porter. Chloe meets Bryce's parents with Tatum and Monty there. Jess and Tatum go to a group meeting for rape survivors.