My senses had hit an all time high and I didn't hear the cries from Hannah or Clay to come back and just let it go. The jocks were publicly out to ruin Jessica and Hannah's reputation even further and I couldn't just stand by and let it happen before my very eyes

Monty, Scott and Oscar had crowded around in front of Bryce to protect him from any punches I would throw towards him. I didn't care if I had to fight my way through them to get to Walker, they all needed to pay for what they had said and done in my eyes

'Just go home Baker we're only having a laugh' Monty proclaimed, placing a hand on my shoulder and pushing me away

'Shut the fuck up and stop talking about Jessica and Hannah' I roared loudly

'Whatever the problem is brother let's just talk about it outback' Scott suggested

'I aint your brother'

Oscar was piping up to say something next as he made his way to be in front of me, I was done talking to them and I just wanted my fist to say what needed to be said. Natural instincts just kicked into my body and everything just became silent in the hall, I didn't hear what Oscar was saying but I saw his lips smacking each other; probably some bullshit about brotherhood and being a family as the jocks would always suggest

Bringing my fist up I struck powerfully first into the cheek of Oscar that had silenced and pushed him into a state of shock, Scott had caught his friend from the punch and pulled him to one side so I couldn't do anymore damage to him. Monty and Bryce stopped leaning against the lockers and were getting ready to fight next

'You sure you want to do this buddy?' Monty asked

I didn't bother answering his question and decided to give him the same beat down I had delivered to Oscar to shut him up. Monty had charged towards me and decided to go low as usual and take me down by the legs, I held my ground and was surprised by his strength for someone so thin in body statue, gripping him by his letterman jacket I pushed him back up against the lockers and held him in place by my right fist before landing a knockout punch with my left hook

'That's enough now Baker' Bryce ordered, helping his friend back up to his feet

'We're only just getting started' I exclaimed. 'Isn't this the fight you've always wanted?'

'You want to do this now'

'Do you see me backing down?' I questioned, squaring up to him in the hallway

Bryce just smirked and like a flash of lighting I didn't anticipate him making the first move and delivering a sharp uppercut to the chin. I felt unsteady from the killer shot and I just charge at him, natural instinct kicked in to just keep on fighting instead of stopping and acknowledging I was out matched against him

I was caught in a grappling match with Bryce as each of us fought to have the upper hand and pin the other down to have the advantage point, I threw out a couple of combination knockout punches and had Bryce where I wanted him on the ground. Standing over his body I continued to punch him in the face till the blood from his lips covered the tile floor

'Mason' a shrivelled voice called behind me

A small crowd had gathered around me and the rest of the jocks that I had started a fight with, the look of horror and disappointment lingered in Jessica, Hannah and Clay's face from my actions. I know I had let them down but most importantly myself when I shouldn't have escalated the violence when they were just wind up merchants looking for a reaction from any sucker that would stoop down to their level

Principal Bolan, Vice Principal Childs and Mr Porter had all come rushing out of the offices to try and break up the fight. Mr Bolan and Mr Porter had helped Bryce off the floor and acted like a blockade between us whilst Vice Principal Childs had ushered the crowds of people to just go home

Clay suggested the idea of walking Jessica home so no other jocks on the way home could harass her about what just happened. Hannah was adamant of not leaving my side and was willing to wait till I was allowed to go home.

'The rest of you in my office now' Principle Bolan commanded loudly

The three adults escorted myself and the rest of the jocks that were involved in my little burst up that I caused to the reception area, they had split us up into separate areas of reception so there wasn't a repeat performance in here. Hannah had made her way to the reception area and after much pleading with Vice Principal Childs she was allowed to stay by my side as she pulled up a seat next to me

'You should really have gone home with Clay and Jess, I can sort out my own mess Hannah'

'I'm not leaving you ok Mason'

'I'll be fine Hannah'

The pain was throbbing in my right hand and I wanted nothing more than an ice pack right now to numb the pain away and wait for the swelling to go down. My left hand clutched the right and I just knew I was going to lose a couple of days of practise down the gym for the upcoming fight with Mateo, I sighed heavily in disbelief that I could be so stupid to let idiots wind me up to the point of inflection more pain onto myself, I needed to remember I came here for a fresh start but yet nothing seemed to have changed

'Does your hand still hurt Mason?' Hannah asked

'Only a little'

'Give it here Mason' Hannah ordered

I dropped my right hand into my little sister's lap as she had caressed my bruised limb, Hannah had reached into her pocket to pull out a clean tissue to wipe away the blood that had lingered on my skin, the bruising was becoming more visible by the minute and the pain was excruciating but Hannah brought up my hand to her mouth and softly kissed my knuckles

'Any better?' she asked hopefully

'A lot better thank you' I smiled gratefully. 'Your kisses did always make the pain go away faster'

'You and Teddy always did have cuts and bruises on you whenever I came over to play when we were little kids. I'd give anything to go back and have one more day of fun together'

'I would too Hannah, everything just seemed so easier back then didn't it'

'It sure did Mason' Hannah replied. 'You know I don't condone you fighting anyone without a valid reason but thank you for sticking up for me and Jessica and putting a stop on them talking about us. It makes me feel sick when they are twisting theirs words over what really happened'

'You're welcome'

Hannah lifted up my hand again and gently placed another kiss to my knuckles, she kept our hands together in her lap and intertwined our fingers together as we waited patiently to be called up to the principal's office to give our story of the events of what really happened….

Three quarters of an hour had flown by in the office and as expected nothing had happened to Bryce and his small crew of friends, they had all been let off the hook as they didn't start the fight but had been given a stern talking to about publicly stating their sexual encounters with fellow students. I on the other hand was no so lucky with the punishment handed to me by Principale Bolan, Thanks to Hannah and Mr Porter I was given a two day suspension from school considering Vice Principal Childs wanted to give me a whole week after I had broken our agreement to not start another fight on school campus

Liberty High School had phoned Aunt Liv to come and pick up her daughter and nephew from the school and had told her an incident had occurred, she was fully informed by Mr Bolan what went down an hour ago. It was safe to say the drive back to Baker's Drugstore had become an awkward journey as the car was filled with utter silence

The Jeep had pulled up outside the store and I was dreading what thoughts must be going through Aunt Liv's mind, Hannah and I didn't dare to move a muscle in the car whilst we waited for Aunt Liv to do or say something next

'Babe can you go and help your dad in the store, we'll be right there in a minute'

'Ok mom'

Hannah had slid out of the back passenger seat door of the Jeep, we watched as she greeted her father in the store and helped service some customers that were waiting in a queue. Aunt Liv removed her seat belt and turned in her driver seat to give me her full attention

'What's going on with you Mason?' she asked kindly

'Nothing Aunt Liv'

'Don't tell me nothing when the school phoned me to come and pick you and Hannah up' she scolded. 'Why did you start a fight with that Walker kid and his friends?'

'Because….' I stuttered, I wanted nothing more than to just tell her that Hannah and Jessica had been raped and they were making vulgar comments and were alluding to another version of events for the two young women. 'I can't really say why'

'Why can't you tell me sweetie? Have those boys got something on you?'

'Because it's not my place to tell you why. When everything does come out in the open just believe the victims that come forward'

'You're being so vague with me, who are these victims? I don't understand what you're on about'

'There's a few in this town already that I know about and there's gonna be more I just know it'

'I thought we had a deal Mason when I let you come stay with us permanently, There would be no more secrets kept between us anymore'

'I know what we had agreed too and I'm sorry for being so secretive with you Aunt Liv' I explained. 'Believe me I don't want to be like this with you but I haven't really got a choice'

'You do have a choice Mason just tell me what's going on and we can sort it out together'

'I really can't Aunt Liv I'm sorry'

'Fine you keep your secrets Mason but I want a whole attitude adjustment out of you in the next two days' she exclaimed. 'You've got plenty of time to think about your actions and the consequences they have'

'Are you going to tell Uncle Andy what happened today'

'What he doesn't know can't hurt him babe'

'Surely he is going to ask questions why you had to pick me up today and why I'm laying around the house for the next two days whilst Hannah is going to school'

'We may be your aunt and uncle but you are my responsibility Mason, I promised my sister that I would take care of you and a little white lie didn't hurt anyone'

'Thanks Aunt Liv for being so understanding and covering for me to Uncle Andy, I promise I'll try to change for you'

'Just don't go and make it a habit of getting suspended, you had enough trouble with your old school'

I nodded my head as we got out of the Jeep and came to the sidewalk, looking through the windows of the store I noticed Uncle Andy was trying to figure out what we had been talking about. Needing to clear my mind I told Aunt Liv I would be going on a walk to Eisenhower Park before heading home for the day

Whilst on my walk to the park I needed to see Jessica some point today or tomorrow and apologise for what she must have seen, I just needed to explain to her why I had lashed out at Bryce and the rest of the other jocks. I had only done it to defend her and Hannah's honour from the lies that were being spoken

Being lost in my thoughts in the open green space I had come across the playground area of the park, a small family were enjoying the jungle gym whilst they laughed and chased each other, on closer inspection I recognised a familiar face in the small family that I see most days of the week

'Hi Mason' Mrs Lynn smiled and waved

'Hey Mrs Lynn' I greeted my homeroom teacher warmly

'We're not in school right now Mason so you don't have to call me Mrs, call me by my first name in social hours'

'Ok Jennifer' I replied, it still felt weird to call my teacher by her first name in public

'How are your hands?' she enquired

I was kinda surprised that she knew about that when she wasn't on school campus when the fight had occurred. I guess word must travel fast when you're a teacher when one of your kids are involved in a fight

'They are ok I guess, no real damage done just a little bruising and swelling'

'Well make sure to get some ice on your hands soon, I mean I don't have to tell you with your boxing history'

I chuckled lightly as Jennifer must have heard about the countless times I talked with Clay about boxing combinations and hand injuries during homeroom. A small toddler had come down the slide sat in her father's lap and rushed over to her mother, I looked in awe at the little girl whilst she placed kisses on Jennifer's cheek, her husband walked over and took the little girl in his arms as they walked around the playground to entertain the girl

'She's a real cute kid Mrs'

'Thanks Mason'

Jennifer's smile had dropped an inch and I noticed the look of shame and regret creep amongst her face, keeping her gaze down to the ground and avoiding eye contact with me. I dread to think what inner demons she was keeping to herself

'Is everything all right Jennifer'

'Can I confide with you about something Mason' she asked

'I guess so'

She ushered us over to a nearby bench near the playground so Jennifer could keep a watchful on her daughter and husband. Whatever weight she was carrying it must have been huge when I mentioned her daughter that her smile dropped.

'What I'm about to tell you must stay strictly confidential ok'

It seems I have turned into everyone's secret keeper, at the rate I'm going at there soon won't be a need for therapists in this town with all the secrets coming out. 'Ok Jennifer'

'I am so glad that you gave Bryce a good hiding in the hallway'

'I'd thought you would be disappointed in me, your always saying to use our words instead of our fists'

'Well he's the exception to the rule; Bryce needs to know his actions do have consequences'

'Has Bryce done something to you Jennifer?'

'When I was his homeroom teacher freshman year and I held him back for a detention, it was that moment he decided to make me pay for it' she explained. 'We were alone in the classroom and that's where he decided to raped me'

I couldn't believe what I was hearing and it just shocked me to my core, Bryce didn't care where he raped and humiliated his victims

'I am so sorry that he did that to you Jennifer, You and no other girls should have gone through that'

'And the worst part of it was that weeks later I fell pregnant by Bryce'

'Is she?' I asked, looking over to the little girl that was playing on the swings with her dad

'Bryce is her father' Jennifer admitted sadly

'Does your husband know about any of this, that you were raped or who her real father is'

'Richard knows everything and is willing to be a father to my little girl. I told him how I conceived the child and what Bryce had done to me'

'Have you gone to the police to report what had happened to you' I asked

'There's no point in doing that and Richard understands my decision' she exclaimed. 'We all know the Walker family will happily pay to silence the victims off'

'But that should never be the easy way out for rapist like Bryce, they have to pay for what they have done'

'You probably know yourself Mason we live in a society where the rich are untouchable and the victims like myself, it's always our fault'

I reached over and placed my hand over my homeroom teacher for comfort, gently squeezing her hand as she could suggest such a thing. 'What he did to you was not your fault Jennifer, it's never your fault'

'Thank you Mason'

We continued to talk on the bench and now I understood why Jennifer took a year off work with stress and anxiety before coming back at fall of this year. She was mentally preparing herself what to do or say if she had run into Bryce in the hallways, luckily that situation hadn't happened yet for her

I could only admire Richard more for supporting his wife during a difficult moment in her life and the selfless act of raising a child knowing it wasn't his and a by-product of rape. A horrible thought raced through my mind and it probably hadn't occurred to the girls yet, had they taken a pregnancy test yet….

On the way over to Jessica's house I still couldn't get my head around the fact that Bryce was a father, who knows how many women he got pregnant on accident and how many kids he has right now; Bryce was probably unaware himself of his fatherhood.

Walking up the porch of the house and ringing the doorbell I waited patiently for Jessica to answer the door. A few moments passed by and I was convinced after what happened today she didn't want to see me.

As I turned away from the door and was preparing to leave the Davis's household the front door creaked open, Jessica stopped hiding behind the door and come out onto the porch

'Hey Jess can we talk?' I asked kindly

'Sure'

She nodded her head and stepped out of the doorway so I could enter the house to talk in private, Jessica followed cautiously behind me and I walked into her living room and sat down on her couch, Jessica held back from me and sat opposite me on the other couch; she was obviously still shaken up and was having doubts if she really did know me

'I just wanted to say I'm sorry for what you might have saw in the hallway today'

'You don't have to explain it to me Mason, Clay told me everything on the walk home I understand why you did it'

'You do know that Bryce and Monty were making fun of you and Hannah'

'I just got to let it go because there's no point in stooping down to their level, what benefit would I get out of making someone feel like I do? it wouldn't make me feel better about myself'

'Well I'm sorry again for lashing out for you and Hannah, I was only trying to defend both of your honour' I sighed heavily. 'Can I ask you something Jess?'

'Yeah anything Mason' she assured

'Are you afraid of me'

'Why would you ask a silly question like that?'

'I just need to know Jess' I pleaded

'No Slick I'm not afraid of you and I never will be. I know that you like to box and wouldn't fight anyone if you absolutely need to' Jessica admitted. 'I trust you with my life if I had too, what I know about you from myself, Hannah and Clay doesn't scare me at all'

'Then why are you sat over there if you trust me like you say you do'

'Because my dad will be home soon from picking up my brothers. He's set a rule that I'm not allowed to bring boys back home with his permission'

'Is that the real reason' I asked, raising a brow

Jessica got up from the her couch and walked around the coffee table before sitting down close to me, our tight touching each other's as she placed both of her hands on my cheeks and drew my gaze towards her; Jessica leaned forward and pressed her lips against my cheek softly

'Yes it is Slick, believe me when I say I'm not afraid of you if anything I lov…'

Jessica didn't have the chance to finish her sentence when the front door lock rattled and swung open. The cheers of two young boys filled the house as they were glad to be home after a long school day

'Jess honey are you home' A male voice called out

We didn't have time to react as the door to the living burst open as her father stood there, looking for his little girl in the house. The look on the male face changed when he saw me sat next to his daughter

'Who is that Honey?' he asked curiously

'This is a friend from school dad'

I got up from the couch and walked around Jessica to get to the man, placing out my hand Jessica's father shook it firmly and gripped my hand tightly, I could feel my hand going numb

'It's nice to meet you sir' I greeted politely

'You too son' he replied, letting go of my hand. 'What was your name again I don't think I got it'

'It's Mason sir, Mason Baker'

'That surname sounds familiar to me any relation to Hannah Baker, the family that owns a drug store in the town'

'She's my cousin and that is my aunt and uncle's shop'

'I've never seen you around the neighbourhood before or with Hannah, are you staying with them'

'Dad' Jessica interjected. 'Stop interrogating Mason, he's a guest in this house'

'Honey I'm just asking the boy a question. Do you mind me asking these questions Mason?'

'I don't mind at all sir'

'See the boy doesn't mind at all, I'm hardly interrogating him at all'

'Well I do mind dad' Jessica proclaimed. 'Come on Slick I'll see you out now'

'Well it was nice meeting you sir'

'You too Mason'

Mr Davis held out his hand for me to shake again which I did back, we both gave each other a weak smile as I was being pushed out of the living room by Jess. Mr Davis cleaned his throat and I just had a feeling he wanted to ask another question before I left his property

'Oh Mason' Mr Davis called out

Much to Jessica's annoyance I turned on my heels and faced Mr Davis, he came out of the living room and into the hallway of the house

'I was just wondering if you would like to come over and have dinner with us sometime soon'

'Oh I don't know about that'

'We could get to know each other better and Jessica hardly lets me get to know her friends, so it would be nice to finally meet some'

'Sure why not'

'Well that's great then, sometime next week perhaps'

I nodded my head at the arrangement that had been made and there seemed to be no way out of it, even if I declined next week I'm sure Mr Davis would insist on it happening let alone turning up at my house for a family dinner unexpectedly

Jessica saw me out of her home and promised that she would call at some point tonight, I forget to bring up the issue if she or Hannah had done a pregnancy test yet but I would ask them when I next saw them together…..

Fifteen minutes later I arrived back home and unlocked the front door, seeing Hannah and Clay cuddled up on the couch together watching a movie with a pizza box on the coffee table

The movie was coming to an end but the time I had grabbed a bottle of water out of the fridge and sat down on the adjacent couch

'Everything all sorted with Jess' Clay enquired

'Yeah I managed to smooth everything over with her' I replied 'I'm just sorry again Hannah for acting out of character like I did, I don't know what came over me'

'Its fine Mason I totally understand why you did it, you were just protecting me and Jessica from any more bullshit'

'If only there was something more that we could do to put him behind bars'

The room fell silent amongst the three of us as Clay and Hannah looked at each other before turning back to me. They already knew what I would be suggesting again, I just needed someone to be brave enough to make the first move and the rest might follow

'Have you given any more thought about going to the police Hannah?'

'I just can't go through with it Mason'

'Me, Clay and Jessica will be there to support you at the police station if you decided to do so'

'Just respect my wishes to not report him yet to the police, I'm not ready to tell my story to the police about what happened to me at his house'

'If you and the other survivors could just see what kind of damage he had done already' I sighed deeply, shaking my head. 'He would be locked up by now'

'I hope you're not blaming Hannah for not coming forward and saying something to the police, she doesn't have too if she doesn't feel comfortable too'

'I never said that I was Clay' I admitted. 'If you guys knew what I know then….'

'Can we stop talking about it now it's really depressing me' Hannah pleaded

'Sure babe' Clay replied

Clay wrapped his arm around Hannah and brought her closer to his chest, planting a delicate kiss to the top of her head as she snuggled into warm embrace for comfort. I would have to work harder to convince either Hannah, Jessica, Chloe, Amanda or Jennifer to come forward with their story and that they mattered and shouldn't be silenced, that justice will prevail and they all could get the closure they needed to move forward with their lives…..