It had been a couple weeks since Jason's big return, I was trying to act normal around him but it was hard so sometimes there would be some mean lines here and there. Ali was confused just like everyone else was, she kept asking me what was up but I didn't really answer her with a straight answer. Ali now has a month of counselling not really talking to anyone about what she talked about, which we all understood and accept. The other girls were good; it was so great not having to spend the energy on hating them anymore.

Basketball was great, I hadn't play a game yet for the schools team but it was coming up next week; making me excited and nervous at the same time. Workings on the play had been going great, we had been making process and opening night was going to be in another two weeks; so we had a lot of work to do. Noel, the guys and I had hang out every Saturday it had become our thing, doing something different every time but normally end up at Noel's to drink.

Having Jason back was helpful when I wanted to go out with guys on Saturday, knowing he would be home to watch out for Ali made leaving her for the night a little easier. I woke up to the smell of pancakes, I slowly opened my eyes and bright light came through. I groaned before slowly sitting up, I was at Noel's cabin and I looked around to find all the guys a sleep all over the lounge room floor; I found it sweet that they allowed me to sleep on the lounge.

I see Noel walk in and say "Wake up time fellas, pancakes are on the table in the dining room ready for you all to eat." At the sound of food all the games suddenly woke up and moved to the dining; I soon followed behind them. I walked into the dining room to see the guys all just grabbing what they wanted to eat and drink, they all saw me and said good mornings to me which I replied. I took my seat down the other end in the corner and started grabbing what I wanted to eat.

Noel walked over to me carrying a mug and said "Here's your hot chocolate Em," since finding out that I don't drink coffee Noel made sure he brought stuff for hot chocolate for me.

I smiled and replied with "Thanks Noel," he handed me the mug and I placed it down on the table in front of my plate.

I asked after taking a bite of my maple syrup covered pancake "So Mason who are things with you and Kylie?" Mason had taken her out a couple of time but never gave anyone the details.

Mason replied with "It's going good, though we haven't defined what we are."

I nodded and said "Do you want to be her boyfriend?"

Mason nodded his head; I smiled and said "Okay then just ask her."

Scott asked "That's your advice just ask her?"

I replied with "Well yeah, if he keeps taking her put but not actually asking her to be his, she will think you're not serious and start looking elsewhere."

Zach said "That does kind of make sense."

Aaron said "Yeah but it's kind of wimpy."

I swallowed the sip of my hot chocolate I had taken and replied with "No it's not, he wants to know if thing are going to go somewhere and the only way to do that is to ask."

Zeke said "Makes sense."

Mason replied with "Okay, do I just like text her or something?"

Noel laughed and said "Do you want her to dump you?"

Mason shook his head and I said "Then don't texts her, asking her something like that in a text is the stupidest thing you can do. Take her out somewhere nice but casual and easy so you don't get nervous yourself and just ask her."

Mason nodded his head and answered with "Alright, where do I take her?"

I replied with "Nope I'm not telling you where to take her, it has to be somewhere special to you."

Tim said "Good luck Mason," the other guys all said the same thing afterwards. We all finished our breakfast before helping Noel with the cleaning up; we hung out in the lounge room just talking for a couple of hours before we all decided to go home. I wasn't to hung over anymore but walking outside into the light was affecting me so I put my sunnies on and got into Noel's car, he had always picked up and drove me around on the Saturdays we hung out just to be easier.

The girls had all planned to come over today around 11am to do a group study session, Noel was invited as well so when we pulled up to Ali's at around 1pm we weren't surprised to see all their cars here. Hopping out of the car we head up to the house together and walked in together, we heard the girls all in the lounge room. Rounding the corner from the door we saw them all listening to Jason explain something which I picked up to be Science.

I say "Hey," they all turn to see us and say their hellos.

Mona said "Nice sunnies Emily."

Hanna asked "Big night was it?"

I replied with "Thanks, not as big as it normal is the sun was just affecting me today."

Jason asked "Why would you need sunnies?"

I answered with "I tend to get hung over after drinking and today it's just harder to shake off," I see the look of horror to anger come up in Jason eyes

Jason said angrily "Outside now."

I sighed and replied with "Okay." Jason places the book he had in his hands down on the table and I placed my bag from last night on the ground; before the both of us walked outside together.

Walking away from the front door and into the garden, Jason speaks first "Your drinking."

I replied with "Oh relax it's just party drinking with mates."

Jason said "Why would you drink?"

I answered with "I don't know for fun."

Jason asked "So it's not because I'm back?"

I replied with "Get over yourself Jason, no it is not from you being back."

Jason nodded and said "Okay, just don't get too hooked."

I replied with "I'm not hooked and I wasn't last time," Jason gave me a look like real making me roll my eyes.

Jason asked "Does Ali know about any of it?"

I replied with "She knows some details but not the full story."

Jason nodded his head and said "Okay."

I asked "Would it be a problem if she did?"

Jason replied with "No it wouldn't be, as long as you keep me out of it all."

I say "No promises."

Jason said "Promise me you won't tell her or anyone for that matter, what I did for you was illegal or have you forgotten that?"

I replied with "I can't promise you a thing, I know and I'm grateful for that but I can't promise it won't just slip."

Jason said angrily "Make sure it doesn't slip," Jason then head back inside with me hot on his tail.

We've walked inside and are now in the doorway area, but the girls and Noel can all see us, I say "I can't promise it."

Jason asked "Why not?"

I answered with "You know why, I can try but that's it."

Jason said "That's not good enough Emily; I need your word on this."

I yelled "Well I can't."

We then hear Ali's voice ask "Is everything okay?" We both look at them all remembering they are all here; we then turn to look at each other and shake our heads at each other; then Jason storms off upstairs.

I groan out a loud in frustration before turning and facing them all, Noel then asked "Emily what's going on?"

I replied with "It's nothing don't worry."

Spencer said "That was not nothing."

I replied with "Just leave it."

Spencer said "But."

I cut her off before she could finish "Leave it Spencer."

Spencer looks at Ali who is staring at me intensely; Spencer said "Ali come on that can't be nothing."

Ali replied with "Emily said it's nothing so leave it," I let out a breath that I had been holding in.

Aria trying to relieve the tension asked "So are we going to continue with our little study group?"

Ali smiled and replied with "Sure thing, Em is you going to join us?"

I say "I should probably go check in with Mum since we've been here all week."

Ali nodded and replied with "Okay, we can stay over there this week if you'd like?"

I answered with "Yeah sure thing," we smile at each other before I grab my bag and head across to my house.

The next day the girl, Ali and I had all gotten to school really early so we could all hang out at my locker before heading to class, I was going through my locker trying to sort it all out while the girls were talking about having a shopping trip on Saturday when I go out with the boys.

I heard something further down the hall that hit a nerve, I heard a guy say "Hey look its Zeke the geek, who can't get any girl if he even tried." Without even thinking I slammed my locker door shut scaring everyone who was close to me, I stormed down toward the big bully.

When I got there I said "Apologise to him now!"

He turned around to the laugh before saying "If I don't what are you going to do about it."

I replied with "You don't want to know."

I hear Zeke say "Emily leave it, it's okay."

I replied with "It's not Zeke and you should have told me."

The big bully said "Sorry I don't want to interrupted ladies so I'm just going to go."

I yell "No! You are going to apologise now!" The whole hallway was now quiet and I heard feet shuffling around me to create a circle around us; trying to get closer to
see what would happen.

The big bully yells back "NO!" I was just plan pissed off now so I balled up my fist up and swang right at his head, connecting and making him swing back in pain.

I saw blood dripping down his nose; he said "You'll pay for that bitch!" He ran straight at me and tackled me to the ground; he then started punching me anywhere he could get to. I was trying to block them all as best as I could but it was very hard when they are coming from nowhere. I was then somehow was able to flip us over so I was on top of him, it was my turn to just start hit him wherever I could.

I could hear a chant going on around "Fight, Fight, Fight!" I could also hear my friends screaming at me to stop and to get off him!

I then hear "Break it up!" At that the chanting stopped and I felt a pair of arms grabbing me and pulling me off of him. Once we were both standing up on our feet I saw it was Coach who had broken up the fight and it was Noel who had pulled me off. I looked up at the guy he had a bloody nose and lip and he was going to have bruise all over his face and body by the end of the day. I could feel blood running down from my nose, I was hurting all over my stomach/ribs area I would also have some bruise by the end of the back; I then he had also managed to get my eye so a black eye as well.

Coach screams "Everyone to class now! You two follow me!" Everyone moved at the speed of lightning to get to their classes, I nodded my head at my friends that it was okay to go; they all walked off but Zeke didn't.

Coach said "Can I help you?" He was asking Zeke.

Zeke replied with "This all started with me."

Coach said "Very well then let's get to the office," we all followed behind Coach to the front office.

Not even having to wait we all just walked into the principal's office, Mr Davidson said "Miss Fields another Monday in a row." He then hand us both the tissue box to stop our noses or lips from bleeding.

I replied with "I love these visit Sir," I placed the tissue up to my nose to try and stood it from bleeding.

He smile and said "What happened this time?"

I answered with "I heard this guy picking on my fiend Zeke, so I wanted him to apologise but he wouldn't and that's when the fight started."

Mr Davidson said "Right and you must be Zeke?"

Zeke nodded his head; Mr Davidson asked "Is it true has he been picking on you."

Zeke put his head down and replied with "Yes Sir, he has."

Coach asked "How long?"

Zeke answered with "A couple of weeks."

I say "A couple of weeks, you should have told me or Noel."

Zeke replied with "Yeah and you would have both done the exact something, I didn't want you to get into trouble." I knew he had a point but I was still pissed off that he hadn't told me.

Mr Davidson turned to the big bully and said "What do you have to say for yourself?"

The guy replied with "That bitch is crazy I was just defending myself."

Mr Davidson said "Don't use that langue in my office, have you been bullying him?"

The guy replied with "Yeah sure so have some other guys, it's just a part of high school."

Mr Davidson said "That may be true but at this school we have no tolerance for it. Now punishment you will be spending two weeks in afternoon detention for bullying and fighting and Emily you will have one week for bullying and fighting."

I replied with "I can't."

The guy said "Me either."

Mr Davidson asked "Why not?"

I replied with "I have basketball practice, we had a game next week and it will be my first game."

The guy replied with "I have football and we have a game this week."

Mr Davidson said "Okay lunch time then."

I saw the guy nod his head and I replied with "Again I can't."

Coach said "You're not making this easier."

I replied with "No honestly I can't, I have the play to practice for and they can't go on without me being that I have a lead role."

Zeke said "Really? You in a play."

I replied with "Yeah so."

Zeke asked "Who's your partner in the play?"

I answered with "Ali."

Zeke said "There it is," we both exchanged knowing smirks.

Mr Davidson said "Okay if we can get back to this, how about you punish her Coach during practice, like extra laps and stuff like that."

Coach replied with "Consider it done; you are going to wish you hadn't got into that fight."

I answered with "It will never happen I'd do it all over again if I had to, I was standing up for a mate and I'll do it every time."

Mr Davidson said "Okay now you all have classes to get to, of you go." We all stood up and left Mr Davidson and Coach to it.

The guy just walked off without saying anything, Zeke said "Thank you."

I replied with "Don't sweat it."

Zeke said "Okay but I owe you one," before I could reply Zeke walked off. I smiled to myself before sprinting to the drama room.

Arriving at drama 10 minutes late I walked in saying "Sorry I'm late."

Mr Martins replied with "It's fine they told me what happened, just don't be late again." I nodded my head, I made my way over to costumes where Ali, Noel and the girls were.

Ali asked "Are you okay?"

I replied with "Yeah I'm fine," Ali start checking me all over to see if I was okay.

I smile and say "Ali I really am okay."

Ali said "Sorry."

Noel said "You're going to have one hell of a black eye."

I replied with "No kidding."

Mona asked "Did you get into trouble?"

I answered with "Yeah not too much though."

Hanna asked "What's the punishment?"

I replied with "Well I can't do detention since I have practice for the play at lunch and practice for basketball at the end of the day, Mr Davidson is going to get my Coach to make me do extra stuff in practice just for this week."

Spencer said "Sounds like fun."

Mona replied with "Yeah you and I have different versions of fun."

I smiled and said "I can't believe he was getting bullied and didn't tell me."

Noel replied with "He didn't tell me either."

I said "But you're a guy, I made it very clear when I meet them all that if they need any help to just ask."

Aria replied with "Getting bullied it's really hard to speak up about it, besides you would have done the exact something you did."

I said "Of course I would, Zeke's a mate and no one bullies my mate."

Ali whispers into my ear "Okay that was kind of hot."

I smile and replied with "Alright," we all then got given something to do. Hanna and Mona had to help with the clothing, Aria, Ali and Spencer had to practice their line with Mr Martins some more and Noel and I got assigned to help with the staging.

At practice I was pushed to my limits but I just kept focused and pushed through it all, Coach called practice finish for everyone else while giving me five extra laps to do around the court. I was surprised when I saw all guys run the laps with me, when I asked them about it when we finished Dylan had just replied with we are team, we stick together. After changing in the girl's locker room, I walked out to find Ali at the door waiting for me. We were going to be spending this week at my place but Mum had told me she was on late shifts this week, she said it was alright for us to stay but I decided it would be best if we just stay at Ali's."

I asked "Ready to go?"

Ali replied with "Yep," we walked out of the gym together and walked to the car together.

We were driving in silence when Ali said "I'm ready?"

I was confused so I asked "For what exactly?"

Ali answered with "I'm ready to tell you what happened."

I replied with "Okay but are you sure?"

Ali said "Yeah I talked to my counsellor about it, and she said if I was ready to I could."

I replied with "Alright when we get home, I'll have a shower and then will talk yeah?"

Ali said "Sounds good, you need a shower you stink."

I smiled and replied with "Thank-you," we spent the rest of the car ride in silence. Though my mind was racing Ali was going to tell me what had happened, I'd finally learn what she went through those two years. I parked the car in front of Ali's house getting out the car really quick to get around the other side to open Ali's door for her, helping her out of the car together we walked into the house.

Ms D and Jason were in the lounge room talking but stop when we walked in, Jason said "Wow what happened to the eye?"

Ali turned and looked at my eye; I asked "Is it black?"

Ali replied with "Yeah its start to swell up."

Ms D asked "What happened to you Emily?"

I answered with "I just go into a fight with a kid at school, don't worry I'm not in much trouble."

Jason asked "Okay, why you get into the fight?"

I replied with "He was picking on my friend and wouldn't apologise."

Jason said "You took on a guy, who I'm guessing is twice your size."

I replied with "And I'd do it again any day, for anyone I care about."

Ms D said "That's very noble of you Emily, you should put some ice on your eye."

I answered with "Okay I will do that; I just need to take a shower first. I couldn't have detention because of my busy timetable so coach is making me do extra everything and in the words of Ali I stink."

Ali said "You really do stink."

I smiled and replied with "And on that friendly note, I'm going to go shower."

I turned to Ali and asked "You going to be okay?"

Ali replied with "Yes I'll be fine, you're just showering."

I said "Okay I just really want to have that talk, but if you change your mind I will still be totally supportive."

Ali replied with "You really sweet, I'm not going to change my mind now go shower." I smiled at her before kissing her on the top of her head before running upstairs to go shower.

Ali P.O.V

I inhaled when Emily kissed the top of my head; I love it when she did that. It reminds me she loved me and that she was still here for me. I watch as she run up the stair, I smiled when she almost tripped and acted like it never happened.

I walked into the lounge room and sit down next to Jason; he asked "What talk?"

Mum said "Are you two going to date?"

I replied with "No it's a different talk; we've already had that one."

Mum asked "She's not pressuring you is she?"

I answered with "No Mum she not, Em would never do that. We will probably date one day soon but I have to deal with my issues which Emily gets and understands."

Mum nodded and asked "Okay so what talk then?"

I replied with "I going to tell Emily everything that happened over those two years."

Jason asked "Are you sure you're ready?"

I answered with "Yes I've been talking to my counsellor about it and she thinks it's a good idea to tell Emily, especial if I want a future with Emily which I do."

Mum asked "Are you going to tell us too?"

I sighed and replied with "I will Mum one day, but if I'm being honest I need more time for you guys."

Jason asked "Why?"

I answered with "You two and Dad gave up on me, but Emily didn't. I need to learn to trust you, I only half do at the moment you understand why though."

Jason said "Of course we do, just know I'm going to spend the rest of my life regretting giving up on you." I smiled as Jason wrapped his arms around me in a hug.

We look at Mum who said "I get it I do; I just want to be here for you."

I replied with "And you are."

We sat around doing a bit of small talk until Emily came downstairs with wet, frizzy hair it made me smile to see her. I knew since the moment I met Emily that she was different, good different but I also knew she was going to be my one and only. I looked Emily up and down to see her only wearing sweat and she was pulling them off like it was some fashion dress.

Emily said "Hey."

I replied with "Hey."

Emily asked "Do you still want to talk?"

I answered with "Yes I do," I sure a bit of relief on Emily's face. I know she would still be supportive if I had said no but I would know she would have been a little down, that's why I made sure when I brought it up I was actually 100% sure off it.

I say "Let's go upstairs," I see Emily nod her head.

She walks over to me and holds out her hand, she said "Together."

I smile and reply with "Together," before taking her hand and following as she leads me upstairs.

We get to my door and watch as she said "Together," before opening the door and walking inside together.

We sat down on my bed she sat in front of me; I said "I'm just going to say it all."

Emily relied with "Okay, are you sure?"

I nodded my head and said "The day he court me, he took me to a motel and raped me. I cried the whole time while he was doing it, having him on me was the worse. I thought waking up I would find him gone but I didn't he was waiting for me to wake up and feed me some breakfast. I thought he'd let me go but he didn't. For months we moved around in different motels no one recognizing me or knowing who I was. When it was relieved I was apparently dead that didn't freak him out, making me realise he was the one who did it all.

He then was able to buy or get or find that place you rescue me from and that's where I stay for a year. I was beaten, I was cut, I was raped, I was anything you could really think of and I always scream and made as much noise as I could not caring when he yelled at me to shut up. He would feed me, give me something to drink and let me go to the toilet but other than that stuff he was a pig.

I was giving up on every getting out, I had tried to escape many times but always got caught which was really bad because harder abuse came my way. I soon gave up until I saw him leave his phone that when I called the one number I remembered, I was so glad you picked up and saved me."

I managed to finish without shedding a tear but when I looked up to see Emily in tears is when all my emotion came, seeing Emily cry made me cry. Emily wrapped her arms around me and I did the same we held each other while we cried. We had cried for seconds, for minutes, I was even thinking hours before we finally broke a part to whip each other's tears away.

I say "At the moment I'm dealing with post-traumatic stress, self-esteem issues and just being terrified to go places. Having you with me where ever I go has help but I do need to learn not to relive on you."

I watch as Emily takes a deep breath and say "I'm going to help you through it all, whatever you need I'll be there."

I say "About that."

Emily asked "Yeah?"

I say "My counsellor thinks it would be a good idea to bring you in for a session."

Emily nodded her head and said "Okay this week I can't because of fighting, I'll see about next week."

I smile and say "Great, thank-you for being here with me."

Emily smiled and said "It's nothing, thank-you for telling me." I didn't have anything more to say and by the look of it neither did Emil, so she moved to lie next to me and opened her eyes.

Emily asked "Want to snuggle?"

I replied with "Do you even have to ask," I lay down in her arms clingy myself to her as her arms wrapped around her.

Emily P.O.V

I was angry and dying inside at the same time, I was angry at that pig for doing what he did to Ali and I was dying because of what he did to her. I was happy I finally knew what had happened, it was hard to hear but I need to know. We were snuggling in the nice and quiet not needing to talking, until my phone started ringing.

I say "Sorry," I dig my phone out of my pocket to see it was Noel calling.

I rolled my eyes and answered saying "Hey Noel."

Noel replied with "Hey are you busy?"

I say "I'm just snuggling with Ali."

Noel replied with "Okay I'll make it quick, the guys want another game of basketball but Tim and Aaron can't make it there grounded."

I said "Cool I'm there what else are we doing?"

Noel replied with "We have to find for another two guys, but I thought we'd play some ball, get some food and then go to my place to drink."

I said "I'm in, will find some people."

Noel replied with "Alright, I'll let you get back to Ali."

I say "Whip the smirk off your face."

Noel said "I wasn't."

I replied with "You were top, bye Noel."

Noel said "Bye Emily," I smiled as I hang up my phone.

Ali asked "What was that about?"

I replied with "Saturday Tim and Aaron got grounded so they can't make it we need to find some people to play."

Ali said "Okay have fun with that," I smiled before snuggling even closer to Ali and went back enjoying just being with her.