safety | rini

it was divine. | S E V E N

* T R I G G E R W A R N I N G *

"dad, i just don't understand." ricky said as he paced around the living room. "what kind of man takes a girl out of the night and does that to her? while she is kicking, and screaming, and fighting, why?" ricky asked, getting more and more frustrated the more he thought about the situation.

"you will never be able to understand why. don't even try." mike said, putting a hand on rickey's shoulder. ricky rubbed his eyes with his hands, irritated.

"i've got to do something though, nini is my friend, i have to!" ricky insisted.

"but i think you are ricky, you are standing by her, and you aren't making her tell you anything. don't push her, let her find her own way. she's going to have some very tough days ahead." mike explained, acting as the calm in the storm during this whole situation.

while ricky and his dad finished their conversation, Jenna came down the stairs. "nini is going to borrow a coat for tonight."

"how's she doing?" ricky asked, concerned.

"well she's pretty banged up, that's for sure." jenna said, slowly shaking her head.

"did she say anything more about the attack?" mike asked.

"so far, she'll only admit that the guy hit her." jenna said, slipping in her coat and grabbing her purse.

"but you know what happened, don't you Aunt Jenna?" ricky asked, leaning forward.

"yeah, i do. but it doesn't matter. if nini doesn't want to admit that she was raped, we can't force her to. just like we can't force her to go to the hospital, or file a police report, or not lie to her mother about what actually happened tonight when she gets home. all that's left to do now is respect her wishes." Jenna said. nini started coming down the stairs wearing rickys shirt.

"would you like us to drive you home?" mike asked with a friendly smile.

"no thank you, i've already called a cab." nini said kindly, focusing her attention to the ground. "thanks though, you all have been very nice. i have one more thing to ask, please don't mention any of this to my mom." nini asked, worry filling her eyes.

"that's another subject for another time. right now i just want to get you home." ricky said, grabbing his coat to take the cab with nini.

"nini, you can call me any time, day or night." jenna said, giving nini a smile. nini said a small "thanks" while ricky wrapped another coat of his around ninis shoulders and they headed outside to the cab.

-

ricky walked nini to her door. she looked down at rickys oversized shirt she was wearing.

"i'll get the shirt back to you once i've had the chance to wash it." nini said, holding her hands near the neck line.

"i don't care about the stupid shirt. keep it, throw it away, it doesn't matter." ricky said, holding his eye contact with nini. "this shouldn't have happened to you." he said.

nini bit the inside of her cheek. "you know, i'm really tired." nini said, looking down at the ground. "thank you for finding me." nini said, bringing her eyes back up to rickys.

"i just wish we could have had our night at the dance, that's all. hey i promise you, i'm going to find that bracelet. i'm going to make it a priority." ricky reassured.

nini looked around nervously, "i should probably go inside." she said, taking a deep breath in.

"yeah, okay. maybe once you get some rest, you'll feel a little bit more normal." ricky said. after it came out, he knew it wasn't necessary the right thing to say.

"i don't know what i would have done if-" nini started, but ricky cut her off.

"hey, it's okay. just get some rest." ricky said, nodding his head at nini. she nodded back and walked inside. nini opened the door quietly and shut it. she started to make her way to the stairs when she saw her mother waiting patiently on the couch.

"oh mama, you really didn't have to wait up for me." nini said, clenching her coat closed, hiding herself.

"oh it wasn't any worry at all. i want to hear all about the dance! and i categorically deny spying. well i may have looked out the window as i passed by, and i could have sworn i saw ricky walking you up. how was the dance? was it divine?" her mother asked, her eyes lighting up as she spoke. nini always loved how elegant her mother presented herself. in how she dressed, how she walked, how she talked, even how she sat.

nini took a big swallow and put a smile on her face, "yes, it was divine. but can i tell you about it in the morning? i'm really wiped." nini said, her smile slowly falling off her face. her mother's expression became worry as she lifted a hand to nini's forehead.

"oh there is a flu-bug going around, i really hope you aren't coming down with anything." she mom said, examining her face.

"just let me sleep for a little and i'm sure i'll be fine." nini said, trying to keep her tone joking.

"well alright. goodnight, i'll be up to bed soon myself." her mom said, walking into the kitchen. nini let out a small sigh when her mother couldn't see her anymore. nini couldn't decided if she wanted to cry or scream. she walked up the stairs and made it to her bedroom. nini covered her mouth with her hands as she started to hyperventilate and become slightly unstable.

nini didn't have a clue, but ricky was still standing on her porch. not for any particular reason, he was just trying to understand everything that had happened that night. he was angry, and upset, and confused, but more than anything he just wanted nini to be alright.

———

Authors Note : please read! i just wanted to say, i am in no way romanticizing rape. it's an awful thing that nobody deserves to go through. i chose this storyline bc i wanted to write something that you guys as readers probably haven't read before. if you ever need to talk, THIS IS AN OPEN PLACE. if not, here is an anonymous hotline for sexual assault. you aren't alone. <3

800-656-HOPE (4673)

you will be connected with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area.