"You're getting a divorce?" I sounded weakly, watching my mom chop some vegetables for dinner. She said nothing, continuing on with her cooking. "Did Dad…find out?" I pressed.
"He has had suspicions about Jason for a while now, I'm sure you've noticed when the two of them are together. I'm sure he doesn't know about you though. Especially since you're so like Ali in your appearances."
"But I have the Hastings' hair." I pointed out.
"Brown hair is a predominant trait. Not hard to say it came from a grandparent or something. Now, will you let me cook in peace?"
"Aria invited me to grab a bite with her and the girls. So you can eat in peace now too. I'll be home later. Call if you need me." I said, slipping my phone into my purse. Everything seemed so normal here. Mom was normal. My parents' relationship was falling apart, just as mine with Mike. I hadn't told anyone what had happened with Connor. Though, my unusual silence had started to worry my friends. And at the café, the girls had their own little intervention. Toby had told Spencer about the state I'd arrived to his place in, and Spencer being her intelligent self, asked if Mike had done anything to me. She was wrong about it being Mike though. I refused to tell, but they dragged me down to the police station, so at least the evidence would be preserved if I ever decided to press charges.
It was a rather awful experience, and Aria, feeling bad about the whole thing, invited me to her home to watch a movie on Netflix. I agreed solely to use the time to convince her it was most definitely not her little brother who had done anything to me besides break up with me. We walked in to see Mona and Mike on the living room couch, making out.
I felt as if I was going to be sick, and excused myself before walking home alone. The next day, Mona and Mike were dating. Aria was sure Mona was using Mike to get to Aria, and maybe crush Ali's little sister along the way. Either way, I was too drained to do anything about it. Whether Mike liked her or wanted to get back at me, I didn't want to compromise potential happiness for him. I loved him too much.
Life continued on in Rosewood though. Toby became increasingly worried for Spencer about doing drugs of some sort, Mona eventually broke up with Mike…and I learned to stop moping. I couldn't bottle up my pain anymore. What good would it do? So I did what I automatically always did when I needed a hug and kind words. I headed over to the Montgomery place. Mike answered the door, and seemed surprised to see me.
"I need to apologize. I'm sorry I haven't been honest with you. Though not for what you think it is. Let me explain, and if you still hate me, you can throw me out and chase Mona. I just really needed someplace to go and you're the person I talk to. Toby is preoccupied with Spencer anyway and Jason is still missing." My voice hitched then. "I just really need you right now." Without waiting for an invitation, I headed into his arms and began to weep.
"Let's go up to my room then." He whispered to me, and headed upstairs with me. I told him all about Connor and what I had tried to do, to clear Mike's name with the parents or do something to help, in some way.
"I just feel so disgusting. Like I can't wash him off me." I put my head in my hands, embarrassed. Mike seemed hesitant to touch me at first, but he was the only person I wanted near me, so I let him come closer.
"I just wish you'd told me sooner. I wouldn't go and attack him like you think I would." After seeing my expression, he admitted that he'd probably beat Connor up, yes, but not without good reason.
"I kissed his cheek and stood from his bed, saying I should probably be getting home.
"We need to report him, you know."
"Your sister and her friends already made sure the evidence would be down there. They agreed not to open the case or anything. I don't know anything about this stuff though, so who knows what they did with this evidence stuff or whatever. "
"Tomorrow, we're going. After school." He didn't budge on the subject, and only let me go home once I agreed.
I was almost home when I spotted the all-too-familiar red and blue lights of police cars. I sprinted home, and no one would give me an answer on what was happening. Though, Jason had finally returned. It didn't occur to me to ask if the police were here about him, or where he had been all this time. I just sprinted over to hug him, smiling for the first time in days.
Connor was charged with rape days later, after Mike took me to the police station to tell my story. The evidence checked out, and the presses were dropped after Connor's family shipped their son off to some military school instead of him possibly ending up in jail. I ended up at Mike's psychiatrist. It was awkward to see them again, after months ago meeting on account of Mike's behavior.
"You better be doing the fashion show." Mike told me one day at lunch.
"Believe me, my mom will have a fit if I don't." Little did I know what would occur on the night of the show.
A/N: So behind right now agh! Sorry!
