Note: This chapter may be triggering to those who have experienced sexual assault and/or rape.
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The Night
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Part 5
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Hayward's
JJ, Pope and John B were all waiting on the boat for Hayward to gather items for their next delivery. "So Kie?" John B looked at JJ "How many nights is this?"
JJ groaned, he hated that his friends were poking fun at him knowing that Kie was actually going through something, he felt he couldn't make any jokes about the situation as the alternative to her spending the night in his room is getting black-out drunk. "Last night is number 6."
"I still cannot believe that I got to more bases than you." Pope laughed
"Nobody thinks that is funny." JJ responded
"It also isn't true, because Kie did kiss him and some other stuff" John B raised his eyebrows up and down suggestively
"She wasn't in her right mind" Pope defended himself
"Isn't that what she told you after she kissed you" JJ snapped back
"Ladies, lets stop arguing over a girl that has no interest in any of you" Hayward said handing over a bunch of grocery bags which John B and Pope grabbed. "Hey JJ, come here boy and lend me a hand"
JJ jumped off the boat and followed Hayward to grab more bags "Thank you for stopping that conversation" JJ said.
"Kie is a good girl, but she and my son would never have worked out, she is too much of a free spirit for him. Now you on the other hand, there could be something there based on what I overhear."
"We are friends." JJ replied.
"Well it seems like she trusts you more than the other two. I do caution you, she needs to talk. Get her to talk to someone if it isn't going to be you. Now grab that cooler and lets get your boys off."
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The Wreck
"Kie, you need to tell me what is going on" Sarah said grabbing onto her friends arm "I know this has to do with Rafe."
"What are you talking about?" Kiara deflected
"A few days ago, John B asked me if something happened between you and Rafe. I said no, that you saw who he was. But you have been in JJ's room every night since the welcome home party and I don't think that is very typical of you. So tell me what my brother did."
"I can't say anything because it isn't just my story to tell."
"Then tell Pope what is going on, he won't tell anyone."
"No. I won't tell Pope, he won't understand" Kiara said.
"Then talk to a professional." Sarah offered back.
"I already did that. There isn't anything more I can do."
"Kie. This is stupid. Unless you like JJ. You sleep in his bed and cuddle I heard."
Kiara smiled a bit, thinking about how wonderful JJ has been and that it isn't that surprising that he has been sweet to her. "JJ is my best friend..."
"Nothing more. I know." Sarah interrupted the 'no pogue on pogue macking' monologue.
"Sarah. JJ has been my rock, more so in the last two years than any other relationship in this friend group. I trust him."
"You trust him over John B and Pope?"
"Yeah"
"THEN TELL HIM" Sarah yelled as the three boys walked into the restaurant. Kiara met eyes with JJ with a bit of horror that the conversation would continue with all 5 of them
"We are hungry Kie" JJ interjected because John B would have jumped onto what Sarah was saying. As much as JJ wanted to know what was going on, he wanted Kie to share when she wanted to.
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The Chateau
Kiara wanted tonight to be different. Lucky night number 7 she would be close to JJ, but not in the same bed. She gave herself a pep talk that her avoidance of the situation needed to end. Kiara tossed and turned on the pull-out as her dreams turned dark. Kiara was remembering the night that she stuffed deep down for years
Freshman Year - Kook Academy...Kiara was at the Cameron's for their Halloween party dressed up in something she would have normally never worn but Sarah encouraged her that she would look 'hot'. So she went as a Cheerleader which made her insides turn, but Sarah was right, she was talk of the party. Kiara couldn't just stand around and drink, she needed to move, so she started dancing which got the attention of most of the sophomore year guys but also of Rafe Cameron. Rafe walked over to Kiara with two drinks, handed one to her but she declined his offer. A new student Emmy grabbed it instead stating that she wouldn't let it go to waste, but really she had a huge crush on him. Rafe didn't care, his sights were set on Kiara and kept trying to get her to drink for another hour before she finally just took it, so she could be left alone. It was nearing midnight and Kiara started to feel funny and recognized quickly that she must have been slipped something. Kiara started to lose her balance and felt arms around her to keep her steady. No other than Rafe Cameron himself. Kiara was panicking because she had no strength to fight him off. She screamed but nothing came out that anyone could hear. She kept saying over and over again "no, let go of me. no, don't touch me, let go"
Kiara bolted up from pull out bed, covered in sweat and unable to breathe, she was having a panic attack and needed help. Kiara held her chest with her left hand and used her right arm to navigate the walls of the Chateau to JJ's room.
"I can't breathe." Kiara said gasping for air and ran into his dresser by accident waking JJ up and off his bed.
"Kie. What's wrong?" he said looking up to see her struggling to breathe.
"I...I" was all Kie was able to say. She took her left hand and grabbed JJ's hand to replace hers on her chest. She kept her hand on top of is in hopes he understood.
"You can't breathe." JJ said, finally understanding the problem "Should I take you to the hospital?"
Kiara shook her head side to side and mouthed 'no' to JJ.
"Okay. Let' sit on the bed. Come with me" JJ said as he guided her to the bed, his hand still on her chest "I am here and you are safe. I am here and you are safe" he repeated over and over again.
Kiara after a few minutes no longer felt like she was dying and the panic had passed but she wasn't okay. JJ took his hand off her chest and moved himself to the floor in front of her, so she could see his face. Kiara finally looked up at him and smiled.
"JJ..." she paused "Thank you."
He smiled and stated "Of course, I know you are holding onto something you don't want to say, but I think if you did, you might feel better"
"The shrink" Kiara said sarcastically
"Kie."
"I know you are not trying to be a jackass. I want to tell someone, I really do JJ."
"So if you won't tell us, what about a therapist or whatever."
"Definitely not a professional. I already did that" Kiara slipped.
JJ grew concerned "Kie, can you answer a few questions for me?"
"Depends what they are?"
"Are you in danger Kie?"
"Not that I am aware of" she laughed but JJ didn't.
"Did...Were...Kie" JJ started but couldn't find the right words to ask if someone sexually hurt her.
"JJ what are you trying to ask?" Kiara stated with some annoyance in her tone of vice.
"Did any of the Kooks hurt you? Did they do something to you and you are just now remembering?"
"They were assholes, but if you are asking if I was raped" She looked up to see such concern on JJ's face that made see him in a different light "Then the answer is no. I wasn't raped."
JJ sighed with relief but that was temporary as Kiara continued.
"But, he tried. Rafe tried the night of that Halloween Party my Freshman Year" Kiara admitted the truth to one of her friends and it felt like a weight had been lifted, not completely however as there was more to that night that she can't say to him.
"If he weren't locked up I would kill him" JJ said under his breath. He then looked up at Kiara and saw tears streaming down her face. "Kie" he reached up to cradle her face with one hand "I am so sorry you went through that. Is that what the letter was about? That got you so upset?"
"I worked through that night with a therapist, but there is something else that happened that night. But it isn't my story to tell and I have held onto it for so long and just buried it deep but then Rafe's letter came and he apologized for what he did to me, but there is someone else that deserves their day in court. It brought it all back and I am angry. So I tried to drink the anger away."
"This is no way to live your life Kie. Who are you protecting and why?" JJ asked.
Kiara leaned back on JJ's bed "You have been so amazing with me, I never expected it, but I can't tell you until I talk with them first."
"So you will talk to them?"
"Yeah." Kiara agreed it was time to put this to bed, so she could finally sleep in her own again.
"When?" JJ asked concerned that she was just giving him lip service
"Once I sleep. I am exhausted. Holding this is is rough"
JJ got up and closed his door and turned off the lights before walking back to his bed. Kiara sat up in his bed confused but hopeful that he was letting her spend the night in his bed again.
"Get some sleep." JJ said as he got underneath the covers
Kiara whispered just to be sure "JJ"
He interrupted her "wherever you feel comfortable Kie"
"I just wanted to check" Kiara said as she found herself underneath the covers "Good night"
"Good night Kie."
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Reviews are always welcome. Apologies for any spelling or grammar errors.