Jade’s hands freeze in my hair, and her eyes slowly lift to meet mine. “If that’s what you really want?”
I swallow before I explain, “I know it’s been hard on you. I really can’t remember much, and I just want to forget the whole mess.”
Jade gives my shoulder a squeeze, and for a moment, my body freezes.
“Whatever you need.” She scrunches her nose as she looks at my hair. “And right now, we need to dry this rat’s nest.”
I give her a thankful smile and switch on my phone. The device starts to beep and vibrates like crazy as all the messages come through. I set it to silent and go into my messenger.
Uncle Carter: We’re taking care of it all, Sweetheart. Just get better. We’ll see you soon. Love you.
Uncle Jax: I’m only a call away. Let us know as soon as you’re ready for some company.
Uncle Marcus: My ass isn’t with you right now because your mom threatened my life. Love you.
Uncle Rhett: I’m here. Always. xxx
Mamma G: My god-baby. I’m sorry I’m stuck on the other side of the planet. Let me know when I can call you. Love you with all my heart. xoxoxoxoxox
My sight blurs at all the messages, especially the last one from my godmother. I haven’t seen her in a while because she’s on vacation with her husband in Taiwan.
I have to blink the unshed tears away as I read the texts from my aunts.
Everyone’s rallying around me, and yet I’ve never felt more alone.
There’s a message from an unknown number, and I hesitate to open it, but then click on it.
Hi, Mila. It’s Jamie Reyes. I just wanted to reach out to you. I’ve been through something similar and wanted you to know I’m here if you need to talk to someone who will understand how you feel. All our support and love.
My body begins to tremble from keeping back the tears. I didn’t know Jase’s mom has been through something like this.
With the first signs of hope blooming in my chest, my hands tremble as I press reply. For a moment, I hesitate again, then I type, Hi, Mrs. Reyes. It’s Mila. I didn’t know, and I’m sorry to hear. I appreciate the offer, but I don’t even know where to start.
It shows that she reads the message immediately, and then three dots begin to jump on the screen.
You start by accepting you didn’t do anything to deserve this. It should never have happened to you. There’s no time limit to your healing, Mila. Just focus on the now. What happened to you was a horrific act of violence. Allow your loved ones to be there to help you through this.
How can anyone help me through this? I don’t want to think about it, never mind talk about it. Besides, my family and friends are already awkward enough around me.
Not knowing what to reply, I type a generic message.
Thank you, Mrs. Reyes. I’ll keep your advice in mind.
I keep going through the messages, deleting the random ones from students I’m not exactly friends with.
Jade switches off the hairdryer and pulls a brush through my black strands. “There, now you look human again.”
“Thanks, Jade.” I get up as I go to the voice messages and say, “I’m just clearing all the messages, then I’m going to catch up on some work.”
“Want me to sit with you and explain the assignments?”
“Yeah, that will help a lot. The sooner I catch up, the better.”
“I’m just going to grab my laptop.”
Jade darts out of my room as I bring the phone to my ear.
All the voicemails are along the same lines. Everyone’s sorry to hear what happened and hope I’ll get better soon.
Then a voice comes over the line, and my entire body freezes.
“Mila. I know I’m not supposed to contact you, but I just want to say how sorry I am. Fuck, I have no idea what got into me.” Justin’s breaths are harsh and panicked.
Then his breath is hot on my ear. ‘You’ve fucked with me for long enough, Mila. It’s time to back up all that flirting with some action.’
My breaths start to rush over my lips as my mouth dries up.
“What I did to you… I… fuck… I’m so sorry. I’m so fucking disgusted with myself. I’m out on bail, but my dad says there will be a court case. I’ll take whatever sentence they give me. Fuck, I deserve the worst.”
Justin throws me to the cold ground, and I quickly push to my hands and knees, but then he’s on top of me, shoving me to my side, and he uses his body to force me onto my back.
“I just… I can’t believe I hurt you like that. I’m a good person. Fuck, I thought I was. I’m so fucking confused, and I regret that night so fucking much.”