We're very close to the final chapter, I hope you guys are ready! I promise that good things await. I'm also still tossing around the idea of re-writing the entire story from Carissa's POV including her emotions. So,if you guys like the sound of that please shoot me a message and let me know! If enough people are on board, I'll definitely do it! Regardless, though, I fully intend to continue to write epilogue pieces! Anyway, enjoy chapter 18!

"Are you sure you want to do this?" The car comes to a complete stop, the radio playing faintly behind her voice.

Riley takes a deep breath, staring at the brick building,"I'm sure." She'll turn, eyes locking with Carissa, "I need to do this. And something tells me you need to do this too. We both have someone to talk to."

Carissa will turn the car off, keys in her right hand, "Just know that if at any point you don't feel okay, we can leave, alright?"

"I'm not backing out of this. I'm no quitter."

She has to chuckle at that one, "Come on, dork, we've got places to go after this."

"This prison isn't as big as I imagined it being." Anger is just a little underwhelmed, "But how can both Jensen and Austin be here? I didn't think there were co-ed buildings."

Joy has the answer, "This is a smaller prison, there are two separate buildings- women across the way, men in here. It's more common than you think." However, "Any word on Carl? I was with Motivation this morning."

"Jordan tells us he's doing well. He's been demanding ihop all morning apparently." Fear is adjusting his sweater vest, "But, no offense, I can't focus on that right now. Kinda' sorta' terrified."

It's a very small room. Two way glass, one light, and a police officer in the corner. Carissa is sitting beside Riley, who's fingers twiddle nervously in her lap. When the door opens, she tenses.

Being escorted inside is Austin. He's in a pair of grey sweats and a grey t-shirt. His hands are cuffed in front of him, he'll take the seat across from the two girls who's faces depict nothing but disgust. But Austin? Well, he's shocked, "...Surprised you're here to see me."

Riley doesn't hesitate, "I wanted to see you locked up." Her arms will fold, "So? You got somethin' to say to me?"

Austin doesn't look at her. But he will shrug.

"Look at me."

And so he will.

"I'm braving looking at you, so you don't get to bitch out of looking at me right now. Because you aren't the victim. And you never were." There's a tension coming from her right side. It's very clear that Carissa so badly wants to say something. So she'll eye her only briefly, take her hand to calm her. Because this is her time to finally speak. She wants it for herself.

Austin will shake his head slowly with a sigh, "Look. Riley-"

"Don't." The eyes are watery, but not out of sadness nor weakness, it is pure anger, "Do you have any idea of the damage you've caused me?" She'll pause, "And I mean entirely. Not just about January, but what happened in eighth grade too?"

Surprisingly, there is clearly guilt in his eyes, and it's why he won't speak just yet.

"Because of you, I still sometimes struggle to say my girlfriend in conversations when talking about Carissa. I still struggle to say yes to strangers when asked oh, you're gay? You've made me worry that people will react the way you did over the fact that you couldn't stand the fact that you couldn't have me. That they'll be just as disgusted with who I am as a person. That's your fault." And now the final blow, "And you fucking raped me, Austin. You fucking raped me. You humiliated me, and you made me so insecure, you made me feel dirty and-"

"I-I'm sorry-"

"Don't! Sorry means nothing after what you've done! After allowing Jensen to fucking film it on her livenow while it was happening-"

His eyes depict genuine confusion and he raises a cuffed hand to cut her off, "Wait, wait- back that up. Did you just say...did you just say Jensen filmed it happening on her livenow account?"

Even Riley is taken back. That sort of gaze isn't so easy to fake. Did he not know?

So Carissa, this time, raises an un-cuffed hand with the same expression, "You gonna' tell me you didn't know she did that?"

He'll wave his hands, clearly panicked to learn that very brand new fact (to him, at least), "O-Of course not! I would never have agreed! Even I'm not that sick in the head!" It's a dark day when a rapist says that and it just might actually be true (even if it's just barely), "Listen, I know damn well that what I did was sick and twisted and what I'm about to say is sick and twisted too." But he'll say it to prove his point, "But I was betting on Riley to not remember any of it so I wouldn't get in trouble and so...maybe she wouldn't know what happened and it wouldn't have...caused such a problem, silent damage- if you will. So my point is, I never knew she did that and had she told me her intentions, I would have told her no." And one more point because it's clear in his eyes now. He's connecting the pieces together and it's even turning his stomach. And he's not innocent either, "...She gave me the drugs for Riley."

This shocks both Riley and Carissa. They have no idea what to say right now.

"...So I guess since she knew what I was going to try to do...she must've set up a camera."

Carissa is immediately standing, holding her phone to her ear, "Amanda- are you still at Carl's packing him a bag for the hospital? Look on his dresser, is there a webcam hidden somewhere?"

This prompts Austin's next question, "...Riley, I'll let you finish handing my ass to me but...is Carl okay?"

But Carissa, phone still pressed to her ear will say just one thing before the ass-handing is deemed to continue, "Congratulations, Austin, she played you like a motherfucking violin." But she's already back to talking to Amanda in a hushed tone in the corner of the room.

As for Riley and Austin, the aura has changed. There's mutual ground right now. Does any of this excuse what Austin did? Absolutely not, but suddenly it's very clear that Jensen is far more responsible than any of them originally thought, "Jensen shot him."

"What? Oh my god is- is Carl okay- did she?"

"...Yeah, he'll be fine. She wanted to shoot me and he shoved me out of the way. Happened at school after hours."

Just as Carissa hangs up the phone, Austin wants to get one final word in, "I know 'I'm sorry' is essentially worthless but I'm...so sorry. I'm messed up and it's no excuse. And it was so easy for Jensen to manipulate me because of it. I'm sorry I messed with you. I deserve everything that's happening to me. Guess part of me was jealous that you were lowkey okay with being seen with a gay girl, and I couldn't even stomach admitting the truth to myself."

"Save your apology." She'll stand, refusing to break eye contact, "You didn't break me." She's already exiting the room. And his apology will never be accepted. But she'll feel very confident in that decision.

Carissa holds back only briefly giving her just enough time to say one more thing to him, "Rot in jail, Austin."

"Honestly, I think she handled that very well." Joy is so proud of Riley.

"I can't believe how much Jensen actually did here. I believe Austin when he said he didn't know she filmed it." Disgust is certain of it, "It makes sense. If he was going to do that, why would he want it filmed? That's evidence that could pin it on him. And Jensen giving him the drugs? I'm not fucking surprised."

"So are we seeing Jensen to talk to her?" Anger inquires.

But Disgust took the overnight shift last night, she'll answer that, "She called Carissa around 4 AM. They're seeing Jensen because Carissa needs closure with her. Riley is going to make it perfectly clear that she has nothing to say to her. Because she doesn't." She'll look to the main screen, "Speak of the legitimate devil."

It comes to a surprise to both parties, that Jensen seeks out Riley first, "Alright. Tell me what a bitch I am, honey." The sarcastic tone makes it clear that for Jensen, none of this matters to her. Little does she know, that is the wrong persona to give off right now. Not when one is about to be ripped to shreds by the snarling gutter punk.

Riley's eyes are icy in their demeanor, "Oh, I have nothing to say to you." Eyes avert to the other, "But she does." That's Carissa's cue

And the demeanor of Riley's eyes are nothing in comparison to the seething rage that is clear in Carissa's entire being. Because she is beyond the point of royally pissed off, "Now you listen. And you listen good, Jensen." She will only say it once, "You are the most sadistic, disgusting, fucked up individual that I've ever had the displeasure of knowing in my entire life. I watched you not only fuck with me? But fuck with Riley. And when you fuck with my girl?" The hands are balled up so tightly into fists that the skin is pale white, "I take that as a motherfucking threat. And I don't take to threats lightly, bitch." She'll take a breath before continuing, "You destroyed people. You broke Jordan's heart and your sorry ass didn't even give a shit, couldn't be bothered to apologize. What if he did something stupid because of it? Yet you wouldn't have given a single fuck if he did! And do you know what that makes you?" She'll lean forward only slightly, "Garbage. You. Are. Garbage, Jensen."

"I don't care what you think about me anymore. I'm just so sorry you are dating so out of your league."

The trigger has been pulled on that boiling anger that now irritates the flames with hot, unforgiving liquid. Carissa's hands will slap loudly atop the table, "YOU FUCKING LISTEN TO ME, YOU PIECE OF FUCKING NOTHIHG! I DON'T EVER, EVER WANT TO HEAR YOU SAY ANYTHING ABOUT RILEY EVER FUCKING AGAIN. BECAUSE I DON'T CARE IF IT LANDS ME IN JAIL- I DON'T GIVE A FUCK! I WILL BEAT THE LIVING SHIT OUT OF YOU! YOU'VE DONE TOO MUCH! AND I AM DONE PLAYING NICE, DONE GIVING YOU ANY BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT, DONE WITH KEEPING MY GOD DAMN MOUTH SHUT!"

The cop, who unfortunately looks rather timid (fresh out of the academy for sure), spectating the situation, attempts to step forward.

But Carissa will raise a single hand towards him, "We are talking, officer!" But she won't look at him as she offers up an apology, "And I mean no disrespect against you, sir, you're just doing your job and you're doing a fine ass job- but we are talking and I can't let you interrupt." She'll continue, "Because this girl's sneaky, vindictive, bile encrusted mind did nothing but try to destroy Riley, destroy me and anyone else in our lives. You filmed her assault, you fucked with her body image, you threatened my god damn father! And, bitch, you are so god damn lucky that you're already in jail because I promise you, after even thirty seconds with me? You would never be able to speak again!" But there's another momentary pause, "...But I ain't a piece of garbage like you. As much as I would love to physically cause you harm and give you that karma you fucking deserve? I won't, because unlike you?" This time she leans in closer over the table, "I have a conscience. I have a conscience, Jensen. And that alone, makes me better than you."

Jensen leans back in her tears of a cracking soul filling her eyes, refusing to fall. Her gaze turns to Riley.

But Carissa won't allow that anymore, "Don't ever let me catch you looking at her again." That's an order.

So Jensen adjusts herself in her seat, "Are you done-h?"

Carissa will stand, "Just about. I have just a few more things to say." And this time, it's for only one reason: to emotionally destroy he Y, "I do need to get out of here. I want to make sure I order the perfect corsage for the love of my life. I want Riley Andersen to feel like a fucking princess on prom night. Because I can't wait to go to the prom with her." The smile is real and true as she looks at her love, "...To slow dance with her...give her my suit jacket when she gets cold."

And Riley will cover her face with a dorky grin, "Not here!" But maybe she's loving this justice just a little too much.

"Y'see that, Jensen?" And her head will gesture towards Riley, "That's my favorite face she makes. Her smile is so beautiful that every time I see it, I swear I fall in love with her harder each time."

Jensen blinks quickly, though it doesn't stop the salty defeat to pour down her face.

"Cry all ya' want, Jensen. You deserve to feel the way you made Riley feel." She begins, "Like garbage. Because that's what you are. You're garbage." Another breath, "And you mean absolutely nothing to me...and you never did."

Finally, Riley will stand, "We should go, we gotta' see Carl." But her wrist will be taken before she can step out.

Carissa lives for passive aggression. And so she will draw Riley against her, a single arm around her waist, "...I love you, Riley." And the kiss will be soft and sweet, lingering upon their lips as the two pull back.

"I love you too, Carissa."

All eyes will turn to Jensen who is well and truly absolutely heartbroken and hysterical.

Carissa will push Riley lightly ahead of her out the door. And just before she exits, she will turn one more time for one final world, "Go to hell."

They will never speak and they will never see each other ever again.

"I have never been more attracted to Carissa ever." Disgust can feel her mouth watering, "I don't care how fucking heartbroken that bitch was, she deserved it and I love that Carissa dished it out with no shame."

While normally Joy would attempt to explain that it's never okay to encourage hurtful behavior, she's too busy being distracted by the main screen. Carissa's music is turned up extra loud. Both girls are belting out at the top of their lungs how they just want to know 'What do you want from me, I'm not America's Sweetheart, but you love me anyway!'

Anger will high five Disgust, "Not only have we not been broken, but we got closure. We both got to talk to the enemies we hate most and now? The next chapter of our life is just around the corner...and honestly? I can't wait for it."

Even Fear, of all emotions, is in agreement, "I won't lie, I'm so terrified of what's to come. Nothing is certain and we're going to go out into that big world as an adult with the first start of real responsibility we can't always expect mom and dad to help us with...but I'm actually pretty excited too. After everything Riley's been through, I know this will be a cake walk if we handle it with care. We've got this!

Not America's sweethearts indeed, but maybe to their friends? That just doesn't matter. Riley is clutching roses in hand, while Carissa holds a doggy bag behind her back. They slowly approach the room. I-13. Surrounding the hospital bed is nearly their entire group of friends. And it melts their hearts when Carl, who is wide awake greets them as if nothings changed, "Ayyyy! Been waitin' on my favorite gays to make an appearance!" Clad in a hospital gown, his right shoulder is covered in gauze and he looks surprisingly...okay, "Those flowers for me?"

Riley steps forward first, "They are, lemme get them in the vase for you." She's already across the room and working her magic at the sink.

Carissa on the other hand, rounds the bed, "Y'look good, asshole, all things considered." And that brown bag will be dropped on his meal tray, "Don't say I never did ya' any favors."

His eyes widen as if he's staring at God himself, "You got me ihop?! How'd you know?"

"Maybe it was the 40 million fucking facebook posts to my wall saying bring me ihop, bitch." She'll punch his unharmed shoulder lightly. But the grin is warm and kind. She's slightly emotional, relieved as fuck that her best friend is going to be okay, "...Glad you're alright, Carl."

He's already tearing through the pancakes like a madman, but he'll look up at her, swallow and smile, "Glad Riley didn't take the bullet." And he means that wholeheartedly. Just as Riley is placing the roses on the windowsill and making conversation with Jordan.

This leaves all of the emotions overwhelmed and silent in their seats. Riley had heard the phrase uttered from where she'd been standing. And it nearly brings everyone to tears. Carl may be the self appointed class clown, one of the most popular kids in school even. But the most incredible thing is how he let's none of that get in the way of neither friendship nor personality. His core friends group is not simply the 'popular crowd'. Their core group of friends is a band of misfits and he wouldn't change it for the world. And he is unapologetically himself, no snobbery or entitlement included.

Joy is in awe, "I don't think I will ever be able to forget that he said that."

Even Sadness is feeling rather positive right now, "Carl really is such an incredible person. He literally risked his life for Riley. He would have rather it been him than her. That's really noble."

"It's more than noble." Anger begins, "It's fucking heroic."

But one of their closest friends, Mike, will break the heavy emotions, "So are we getting fuckin' turnt at prom or what? You gonna' be able to go in a month and a half?"

"I'm really hoping so." Carl begins, "I'm gonna be doing physical therapy and finishing up classes from here finals and all. I'll definitely be able to do graduation with you guys, though."

"Well, I hope you'll be able to go." Riley sits on the arm of Jordan's chair, "Won't be as much fun if you aren't there."

Jordan is nodding, "We'll visit as often as we can too. Every day, even." His eyes will soften this time,"...And you promised me a slow dance at prom and I swear to god if you aren't there I will dance with a cardboard cut out of you."

"Then I'm not going regardless! Because now I want this to happen!"

The entire room is in a fit of laughter when a few doctors step into the room and the noise draws to a halt, "If all of you wouldn't mind stepping out for an hour or so, we just have to change Mr. Segreti's bandages and get a few of his daily exercises in. You can all comeback in a little while."

One by one his friends high five or pound his fist. Carissa, with a fist pound will give reach to mess up his hair, "Text me, alright?" She's already preparing to head out the door, "Come on, Riles."

"Just gimmie' a sec with Carl?"

"Yeah, no problem. I'll be right outside."

She'll turn to the doctors, "Just one second, I promise...I'm the one he took the bullet for."

It's enough for every one of them to smile, "No problem, honey, we'll step back and give you two a moment."

Carl is the first to speak, "Listen, Riley. It was nothin'. I just want you to know-"

She's cutting him off, wrapping her arms right around him as gently as she can. The tears will fall silently, but there is a slight crack in her voice, "Don't paint it like it wasn't fucking heroic, Carl-h."

His arms will wrap around Riley as best as he can, "...I love you, Riley. I didn't even have to think about it. I'd do it again."

And now? Riley is genuinely crying, "Y-You saved my life-h. I-I don't think you understand how big that is a-and I just," It's so hard to find words. There's so much she needs to convey, "...Thank you."

"Stop it, girl!" He's pulling away from the hug just as she is, wiping his own tears, "You're makin' me cry-h, aha-h."

"I-I'm sorry-h! Aha-" She takes a deep inhale, trying to bring the waterworks to a standstill, "I'm in your debt. I just...I-"

"I meant it when I said I was glad you didn't take the bullet." But it's something else, that will turn gentle sobs into hysterics, "...Glad you never succeeded during your suicide attempt either. That's probably the biggest thing in my life that I'm thankful for to this day."

her hands close over her mouth this time. She's nearly left shaking.

"..I don't regret it-h. Wouldn't change a thing about it-h. And if I lost my life for you? Still wouldn't regret it."

"...I-I love you Carl-h. I really do-h. You're my brother-h. I mean that." A shaken hand reaches for his.

He'll give it a squeeze, "I love you too, Riley. You're my sister from another mister...now get outta' here and go have some bangin' sex with your girl."

She's already stepping back with a laugh and an eye roll, "See you soon, asshole. Hope you'll beat prom."

"Me too."

Out of the room and to the left. And yet again she'll be laughing at the sight of a casual Carissa holding a tissue, "Figured you'd bawl like a baby." She's teasing, of course.

"I hate that you know me so well." But the tissue will be taken.

"...It's all pretty crazy, huh?"

The eyes are wiped, the nose is blown, "It's more than crazy. It's a fucking mess."

Carissa will reach to bring an arm around her girlfriend's waist to draw her closer as they walk, "But I think the mess is over now, you know, since we're moving onto the next chapter of our lives."

"God, I hope so, because." She'll emphasize it as the tissue is tossed into the garbage. But the follow up phrase will be spoken in unison by the pair, "High school is a fucking mess."

The realization rings true and they know it.

Anger is blunt, and he would never change that, 'Don't ever let anybody convince you that High School will be the best years of your life. They won't be. But everything from prom and beyond? That's when your life truly begins.'