Chapter 2: Help Needed, Not Wanted
I wake up with Jesse on top of me, we're in some wooded area, my pants are around my ankles, and I'm sore everywhere. Every time my heart beats, my body throbs along with it, especially in my lower area and head.
I quickly push him off of me, feeling him slide out of me and I grimace in pain, biting back a whimper as I shakily stand up, grabbing onto a nearby tree to steady myself. I look at him, he's on his side now, and I quickly bring my hand up to stifle a gag. He has this sick grin on his face, like he just had the best time of his fucking life.
I reach down to pull up my pants, my panties no where to be seen. I see the dried blood, along with something else on my legs, and I stifle another gag, not wanting to wake that asshole up. I'm covered in cuts and bruises, especially claw marks. I look like I've been to war, with a bear.
I hastily make my way to my car, thanking God that there was no one around. Just as I was thinking why, I pulled out my phone, seeing that it was 6:35 in the morning. For once, I was thankful that mornings existed.
I was also thankful that no one had stolen my car, since it had been unlocked since last night. I slide myself into the driver's seat, suddenly my mind is assaulted with details from last night: Jesse grabbing me, knocking me out, and then, apparently, I had slipped in and out of consciousness enough to remember details of what he did to me.
I don't remember him dragging me to the woods, but I remember being thrown to the ground, my clothes being torn in haste as Jesse forced himself into me, tearing my hymen as he had his way with me.
I let my head fall against my steering wheel of my black '69 Camaro SS, trying to steady my sudden nausea.
Should I go to the police? Would they even believe me, now that I had a record? I know they weren't allowed to not believe you, but have you ever dealt with Southern policemen? And I mean men specifically, because I have, and they don't like to believe anything a woman says, especially when..that is involved. I couldn't bring myself to even think of the word without getting sick.
"Where can I go?" I quietly whisper to myself, thinking of my options.
I could go to my dorm room, and risk getting seen by other students. I could possibly go to my dad's, but I didn't want to break down in front of him. Hell, I didn't want to break down in front of ANYONE. But I had to go somewhere, I just had to get as far away from Jesse as possible. Hell, I could even make the hour long trip to get to the city to go to my mom's. And maybe I could go to Stacie's, she had basically become my sister over the year, surprisingly.
Sighing, I looked at my phone, it was 6:50 now, and I texted the only person I knew would be up this early.
Beca: Chlo, do you think I could come over?
I waited for a response, the suspense killing me slowly inside. I hope she wasn't mad because I missed last night. Finally, I felt a buzz in my hand.
Chloe: Of course, a few of the girls, Lily (I swear she has an internal clock), Fat Amy, Denise and Jessica already went home, so it's just me, Aubrey, CR, and Stacie. Aubrey said you better have a good excuse for missing last night. I'm not mad though, I'm just glad you're okay, so hurry on over, I cooked breakfast.
A small smile tugged at my lips, I could always count of Chloe for brighten my day. Taking a steadying breath, I put my key in the ignition, and made my way to Chloe and Aubrey's apartment.
I pulled into the surprisingly half-empty parking lot, the morning sun blaring down on my fragile eyes. I pull the key out, sitting there for a few minutes. As I sat in silence, the full reality of my situation struck me and my tears started to freely fall down my already tear stained cheeks. I brought up my hand to cover my mouth, trying to stifle my sobs as I let my head fall back against the seat.
My now ex-boyfriend, Jessie Swanson, had abused and...raped me. There, I said it, and it made my stomach churn.
I pulled down my visor, and in my mirror, a stranger stared into my deep navy blue eyes. I looked like a ghost. My skin was pale, probably from blood loss and shock, because I've never been this pale. Tears stained my cheeks, and there was dried blood near the top of my forehead, as well as a large welt on my right cheek from Jessie's slap. I gingerly reach my hand up, wincing in pain at the spot where my head made contact with my door.
I wipe at my eyes, even if I look like this, I don't want Chloe and the other's to see tear marks. Even after something like this happened to me, I still have my badass reputation to uphold, and crying isn't going to help that. I open my door, locking my car as I make my up to Chloe and Aubrey's apartment.
I stand outside their door for at least ten minutes, thinking if I should really knock or not. I know Chloe won't ask any questions, but that doesn't mean the others won't, especially CR, she's become like another mom to me, strangely enough. I can always come to the girl with my problems, and she's always been protective of the whole group. She's an awesome girl. And then there's Stacie, who I know will demand what happened to her "baby-sis" as she has taken to calling me.
Finally, I raise my hand and knock three times, biting my lip to the bleeding point. The pain soothed me momentarily from my internal conflict. I held my breath as I waited for the door to open, quickly letting it out as it finally did.
Chloe was standing there with a spatula in hand, wearing shorts that complimented her legs and a baggy Barden t-shirt. She had a sweet smile on her face, her unearthly blue eyes twinkling sweetly. There was flour spread across her nose, and I briefly thought about how the hell that could happen until I heard Stacie yelp in surprise, a bright white cloud forming behind Chloe.
"Hey Becs, oh my God," her smile quickly turned to a frown as she took in my appearance, she gently grabbed my hand and pulled me in, closing the door. Instead of announcing my arrival, she quickly rushed me to the bathroom, leaving Stacie and the others to clean up the other mess.
She closes the door behind her, locking it. She doesn't ask any questions, she just walks to me and gently kisses my forehead. I almost break down, but I bite the inside of my cheek. I don't want to be weak in front of her. She walks behind me, turning on the shower.
"Get undressed, shower, and then I'll patch you up. You don't have to tell me yet, but I trust you will when you're ready, right?" Chloe gently asks me, placing both of her hands on my shoulders, staring deeply into my eyes.
I nod slowly, not trusting my voice, backing away as I start to undress, biting my cheek harder as my muscles strain painfully.
I briefly wonder why Chloe is still in here, but it's not like she hasn't seen all of me before, hello, she barged into my shower for god's sake.
I hear a tiny gasp from her as she finally sees the total damage, probably coming up with the conclusion on her own.
"I'll let the others know you're here, okay?" Chloe murmurs, biting her lip gently.
I nod and get in the shower, yelping quietly.
I hear the door close, and I finally let myself fall apart, free from Chloe's gentle eyes.
