Okay, warning for this one right off the bat: There is attempted sexual assault in this chapter. If this is a trigger to you, please feel free to skip this chapter!
Matty’s POV
2 Weeks Later
I gripped Jensen’s hand harder as an ache shot suddenly through my body. I cringed as I felt the first of it. I don't have what I need. J glanced up into my eyes, concerned. “You okay, princess?”
“Do you have any chocolate?”
He looked taken aback, then a look of understanding crossed his face. He leaned down to grab a Hershey’s bar and a thin, cylinder-shaped piece of cotton.
I grinned up at him. “Thanks, babe. You're the best. I'm gonna go to the bathroom, though.”
He chuckled. “Whatever you want, gorgeous.” He pecked my lips lightly before I stood. As I walked away, I caught sight of Jared making kissy faces. Jensen blushed and promptly told him to shove off.
It wasn't until after I got back that things got really weird.
I came back feeling not at all better, and my mood worsened when I saw who was waiting for me. Rich was having a stare-down with a cold Jensen.
I cleared my throat awkwardly, trying not to look around. I knew people were staring. It was too quiet for them not to be.
Both of the guys turned toward me. Rich’s face looked relieved. J didn't let up on his stony expression. He raised his eyebrows in a mildly pissed off way when Rich spoke. “Matty. Uh… Hey. Can we, um… can we talk?”
If I weren't on my period, the comment never would've slipped out of my mouth. “Oh, you having some seconds thoughts on ditching me when I got in a relationship?” Rich winced, and I instantly felt bad. My expression softened. “Sorry…” I said, quieter. “Yeah, we can talk. C’mon.” When only Rich moved, I huffed. “Both of you! Let's go, babe.” I'd said it without a care in the world. Good job, Matty. Why don't you just stomp all over the poor guy's heart again while you're at it?
We made our way into the hallway by the engineering classrooms before I got too impatient to wait anymore.
“So, it's been a while…” I directed awkwardly at Rich. He nodded and scratched at the back of his neck.
“I just wanted to say that I'm sorry. I was a complete a*****e and you didn't deserve that.”
Jensen grumbled from the lockers that he was leaning tensely against, “Of course she didn't. Dickwad.”
I breathed out slowly and thought over my options carefully. I pushed aside the negative thoughts that paired with the fact that I was in extreme discomfort. I bit my lip. After a few seconds, I nodded. “Okay. One more chance, Rich. I'm serious. One more, ‘When he hurts you…’ text and we're done.”
He sighed in relief and brought me into a tight hug. I blinked, taken aback, then returned the gesture (albeit a bit more hesitantly). I was starting to feel uncomfortable when Jensen cleared his throat.
We pulled away. “Well, uh… I'll talk to you later, Matty,” Rich muttered, shrinking under J’s penetrating glare. He ran off before Jensen could turn the aggression physical.
As soon as he was out of view, J pulled me into him by the waist and pressed his lips to mine. I sighed into the kiss and tangled my fingers in his hair to pull him down to my level.
In the past two weeks, me and Jensen had gotten better with PDA, but when we were by ourselves, it was constant touching. His hand would trace patterns on my arm while we played video games together or I would play with his hair when we went on an indoor picnic.
We only pulled back long enough for him to press me into the lockers before we were making out again. I felt the smirk before I saw it. “What's so funny, mister?” I panted, hovering my lips over his.
“I'm your bodyguard.”
I snorted. “No, you're my knight in shining armor.”
He lit up at the reference to our first kiss. This time, when he kissed me, it was chaste and loving. I smiled, leaning into his hand that had reached up to cup my face. I wouldn't wish for anything to change. I want to stay right here. In Jensen’s love.
I ran my fingers through my hair, eyeing up the ramp. It was one of the largest in the enclosed skateboard park, and I had been trying at it for a while now.
J got pulled away by Jared when he couldn't help but stare at me the entire time. It had made me insanely uncomfortable, so I was grateful when Jared announced that they were going into the nearby field to throw around a football.
I focused on the challenge in front of me before biting my lip and pushing forward. I felt myself relax as the air hit my face. An easy grin slipped onto my expression.
I made my way up the ramp and went airborne for a few seconds. I lingered in the sky for a moment before I came back down, landing it perfectly, little spin and all.
I whooped and the smile was overwhelming now. Adrenaline pumped steadily through my veins. I laughed like a maniac, stopping the skateboard and casually flipping it into my grasp.
I looked up when I noticed the slight chill to the air, and was outright shocked when I caught sight of the dark sky. Later than I thought it was.
I flicked my gaze back to the ground as two rambunctious guys stumbled in. I was confused until I saw the whiskey bottles in their hands. I immediately tensed. Drunk people have been known to make very bad decisions.
I carefully snuck over to the fence. It was shadier there, easier to hide. The two stopped and looked dazedly at where I had been standing before. As they spoke, I inched my way closer to the exit.
"Where'd that girl go?" one slurred. "She was right there! It wasn't just the alcohol, was it?"
I rolled my eyes to distract myself from my rapidly beating heart.
"No, I saw her, too." I was horrified to realize that I knew that voice. It was one of the twins. Ben and Noah. I just didn't know them well enough to tell which one was drunken before me. "She was real pretty. Looked like a virgin. Bet she'd still be tight."
Shocked at this proclamation, I lost my concentration and walked right into the fence. It rattled obnoxiously. The guys went silent, and I ran for it. Both of them chased after me.
Surprisingly, even in their drunken state, they caught up.
One lunged forward to tackle me to the ground. All the air left my lungs as his full weight leaned on me.
Then he was pressing forward, fumbling with my clothing and kissing at my neck. His friend was holding my arms up tightly by my wrists.
Terror flooding my senses, I did the first thing that came to mind.
Jensen's POV
"Jensen!" The scream came when I was in mid-throw.
I exchanged a look with Jared before dropping the football and taking off, heart thumping painfully in my chest. Fear and rage overflowed into my senses at the same time. I pushed myself to run faster.
I knew I shouldn't have left her alone. Goddammit, why was I such an idiot?
"Help!"
Matty sounded terrified. I felt panic rise in my chest. What if we're too late? I was running faster than even Jared now, and he has longer legs.
As we neared the skateboard park, three figures came into view. One standing, the other two wrestling on the ground. What was once Matty's shirt was now torn into pieces on the ground, and the guy was fighting with her jeans.
I ripped him off of her, rage burning a hole into my soul. His buddy went wide-eyed and took off, dropping Matty's wrists. If she sounded terrified, she looked about ten times worse.
As I knelt beside a now shaking Matty, the guy ran after his friend, Jared chasing after him.
I gathered Matty up in my arms as sobs began to shake her body, and guilt and heartbreak mixed together in a vicious cycle. Guilt for leaving her all alone. Heartbreak for seeing her so vulnerable.
Jared returned a short while later. I was still cradling Matty into my chest. I cast a questioning glimpse up at him. As he was panting and regaining his breath, he shook his head. I was careful to only swear in my head. B******s got away.
Matty's teeth were chattering, and I quickly realized that she was in just her bra.
"Shh, baby girl," I finally said gently, shrugging out of my letterman jacket and pulling away long enough to help her get it on.
She sniffled and snuggled back into my chest, not even giving me enough time to zip it up.
I exchanged a quick look with Jared and he ran off to go get the car.
I effortlessly hoisted Matty up into my arms as I stood. She simply burrowed further into my warmth.
"I gotcha, princess. I've gotcha."
The words slipped out of my mouth as we waited for Jared to pull up the car. Matty didn't make a sound, and I looked down to see her staring at nothing, looking pale and exhausted and... Empty. I swallowed hard and shifted her into my body more. God, I never want to let her go now.
The car pulled up to us, and I climbed in the backseat, easing Matty in so she was curled up in my lap. Still not a sound. It was disconcerting.
Jared drove us to his house, since his parents were out of town and explaining the situation to her mom might be... Problematic, in the least.
I slipped her phone out of her pocket and texted her mom, "Hey, staying over at Adrian's tonight! I'll see you tomorrow! Love you!"
She only stared at nothing as I pocketed it.
The rest of the night went like that. I carried Matty into Jared's house and left all of her and my clothes on as we crawled into one bed, fearful that I might trigger a breakdown.
I made sure that she'd drifted off into a fitful sleep before I moved into the living room, staring at a concerned Gen and Jared on the couch, holding hands tersely. He'd called her to come over as soon as we made it inside.
Gen looked up and whispered a bit hoarsely, "How is she?"
I sighed and sat heavily in the chair. I ran a stressed hand through my hair. "I don't know. She hasn't said a word since she got attacked. She seems pretty shaken. I'm really, really worried." My voice shook with rage as I continued. "I don't know who did this, but I'm going to hunt them down and kill them."
Jared stood and placed a hand on my shoulder to calm me down.
"If anyone... Ever... Lays a hand on Matty again, I swear to God I will beat the living s**t out of them."
Gen sighed and stood, too, sitting on the arm of my chair. She rubbed a hand up and down my back. “Calm down, Jensen. We'll find them. You're just angry. Don't do something you'll regret because of it.”
I let out a shaky breath and ran a hand through my hair, nodding just slightly.
Matty’s POV
Hands. Hands everywhere. Clawing at my clothes. Restraining me. Quieting me. I fought against them, terrified. Jeering met my ears. Hateful words and sexist comments floated carelessly through the air. I screamed for Jensen, but he never came. My shirt was off, then my pants. I was crying, struggling hopelessly against them. Fingers fumbled with the waistband of my underwear, and I started to sob uncontrollably.
I gasped, sitting straight upright in a bed I didn't recognize. “Jensen?” I called out fearfully into the dark. He was the last thing I remembered before passing out. “Jensen!” I called again desperately, starting to shake. The darkness pressing into me. The door opening shocked me. Light shone through. I jumped, terror filling me from the memories of my dream.
“Matty? Hey, baby, it's okay. I promise.” I relaxed instantly at J’s voice. A silhouette moved towards me and the bed dipped beside me. The figure wrapped his arms around me and pulled me forward into a warm chest. I immediately snuggled further into Jensen, tears starting to soak his shirt.
“It was just a dream, baby girl. Shh, you're okay. I'm right here. They're never gonna hurt you again. I won't let them. Shh, I've got you. Just let it all out.Don't cry, Matty. It's okay. I'm never gonna let you go again. Alright, Angel. Shh, shh, shh. I'm here. I'm here.”
I swallowed thickly and wrapped my arms tightly around Jensen’s middle. His strong arms tightened in his embrace. His chin perched on top of my head. I sniffled.
“You wanna talk about it, gorgeous?”
I stiffened. Yes or no?
I mulled over it for a moment before shaking my head. “It was just a nightmare about what happened,” I murmured vaguely.
He sighed into my hair, then pressed a kiss to the top of my head. “I'm so sorry that this happened to you, baby girl. You, of all people, did not deserve what those a******s tried to do to you.”
I willed the oncoming tears to go away. “Thanks, J.” I paused. Should I say it? It was out of my mouth before I could ponder it anymore. “I love you.”
He didn't stiffen, or laugh, or do anything bad that had happened in the scenarios in my head. He kissed my temple and whispered, “I love you, too, gorgeous.”
My vision gradually faded away as I fell asleep, burrowed deep in Jensen’s comforting embrace.
J drove me to school the next day. As we pulled up to the student parking lot, I found myself glancing sideways at all of the guys passing by the car distrustfully. Jensen caught the uneasy looks and took my hand in his, rubbing his thumb gently over my knuckles.
“We don't have to go if you don't want to. I do think you should at least talk to the counsellor, though.” I bit my lip and cast my gaze down at my feet. J sighed. “Hey, baby. I just want to get you help, okay? Those sons of b*****s nearly hurt you real bad, and I want to see them get held responsible for their actions.”
I stayed silent. I wasn't traumatized, but I wasn't talking much, either. Just to Jensen, come to think of it. It's almost as if I feel like he's the only one I can trust.
“Can we go home?” I whispered, my voice cracking slightly.
Jensen started the car without a word of protest. “Sure thing, gorgeous.” His hand accidentally brushed my thigh and I couldn't help but shiver, memories flashing before my eyes.
“Sorry, princess. How about we watch a movie when we get to Jared's place? Your pick and everything.”
I smiled, relieved for the distraction. “I'd love that.”
It was about lunchtime before one of my friends texted me. It was Adrian, inside the group chat for the first time since me and Rich had our argument.
A: Hey! Where are you?
I shifted from under J’s arm to free my hands. We were cuddled up on Jared's parent's couch, buried in more blankets than we really needed and watching Top Gun. He looked lazily over my shoulder to watch me type.
M: Hanging at home. I don't feel very good.
A: You okay? You want me to come over?
M: I'm alright. I just needed a day off.
F: Hey. I realized Mr. Dreamy isn't here today. You two aren't off doing naughty stuff, are you? ;)
My face immediately got bright red. Jensen, who had turned his attention back to the tv, gave a side glance to me. “What's up?”
I handed him my phone and hid my burning face in my hands as he cracked up.
I snatched the device back to respond.
M: No! Goddammit, Felicia, he's just cheering me up!
F: “Cheering you up”, huh? He eating something out? ;)
M: I give up.
R: Aww, leave the poor kid alone. She's having a rough go of it… ;)
M: I hate you all.
I huffed aloud and threw my phone aside. J looked down at me quizzically. “Don't even ask.”
He just grinned and pulled the blankets around us again.
Jensen simply sped through the violent and sexual scenes. He was extremely conscious of what might trigger my panic attacks. He was more cautious than I was.
As the movie finished, I pulled Jensen down to lightly kiss him. “I love you,” he murmured against my lips huskily.
I sighed in contentment. “I love you, too.”
I reached for my phone to check if the group chat was going anywhere, only to be stopped short by Jensen’s arms grabbing me around my waist and pulling me into his lap. His fingers danced along my sides, and my giggles turned into squeals as the tickling became more and more intense.
“Stop!” I squeaked, gasping for air as uncontrollable laughter spilled from my mouth. To my shock, J pulled his fingers away. He suddenly had my face in his hands.
“Are you okay, Angel?” He asked, rubbing a thumb along my cheekbone.
I frowned. “Yeah. Why?”
He cleared his throat and backed off a little, scratching at the back of his neck. “No reason.”
Then it dawned on me. “Oh. You were worried.”
He shrugged sheepishly. I smiled softly at him. He was concerned for me. I'm not about to complain. I kissed his cheek. He truthfully looked very surprised. “Thank you, Jensen. But I am completely fine.”
J smirked. “I know. Hey, I think I heard your phone buzz. You gonna get that?”
I reached for it again. He tackled me from behind, tickling me again.
As I cracked up, I giggled, “Stop it, you j-jerk!”
“No! You-hey!”
I rolled us and tickled him instead. He snorted, but had no other reaction. I gaped down at him. “You're not ticklish?! No fair!”
Before he could get me again, I lunged for my phone, unlocking it quickly when I saw there were messages.
A: Ignore them.
R: Aww, c’mon.
F: We didn't mean it!
A: Come back! Please!
I laughed as Jensen pulled me back by my upper arms. My phone dipped dangerously, but I grabbed it just in time to save it.
J simply snickered as I turned back to the group chat, now in his lap.
M: I'm here, peasants. No need to worry.
A: Yay! Our lunch just ended. I'm stopping by your house after school to watch Harry Potter with you. You guys wanna come along?
R: Hell yeah!
F: You betcha!
M: C'mon, you guys, my mom won't like the last second thing.
F: Don't you dare try to wiggle your way out of this one, Matilda!
M: You're definitely not coming over now.
R: Great job, Felicia. Now we can't even go over to watch a f*****g movie.
A: Both of you chill.
M: Jensen is gonna be there, too. We had a date tonight, so we're still gonna spend time together.
F: Yes! Perfect time for me to intimidate him!
I snorted and turned off my phone. They knew what time to come over. I knew what time I had to have everything ready by.
Jensen smirked down at me. “What movie next, princess?”
I snuggled into him. “I say we just snuggle. Maybe fall asleep. I'm exhausted,” I mumbled into his chest. The vibrations in his chest as he chuckled sent me off giggling.
I rolled next to J and adjusted myself right into his arms. He sighed contentedly and stroked my hair.
“I love you, Matty.”
“I love you, too, Jensen.”
We barely made it over to my house in time. We’d both fallen asleep on the sofa, and when we woke up, it was nearly 2:30.
J drove me over to my house quickly. He wouldn't have thought to stop at his if I hadn't pointed out that he needed pjs.
We had all the snacks, movies, blankets, pillows, and video games set apart by 6 o’clock. 15 minutes early.
“Hey,” Jensen murmured into my hair. I pulled away from the embrace to gaze up into his face. Just being so close to such intoxicating eyes made me blush slightly.
“Hmm?”
“Do they know about why you're actually skipping school?” My silence and separated nature were answer enough. He sighed. “Do you want them to know?”
I bit my lip softly, considering. “I guess I'm not opposed to it, but please don't point it out to them if they don't ask.”
J blinked. “That's a gray line, sweetheart.”
“Oh, shush. You're the one that asked.”
The three flooded in in a tidal wave 10 minutes later. Instead of their usual routes, they all locked onto Jensen and I and eyed us up quietly until it was starting to get uncomfortable. Just as I was about to suggest gaming, Felicia spoke up.
“So, have you two done the dirty yet?”
Rich burst out laughing from his perch on the arm of the sofa and fell backwards right off of it.
I groaned and buried my bright red face in my hands. Jensen laughed along with the group, and I quite suddenly realized that Jensen fit in a bit too perfectly.
“No,” J said from next to me, rubbing calming circles on my thigh. I didn't tense. I just let him do it. It was strangely calming. “I think we're gonna wait.”
Adrian snorted. “What, until you get married?”
The group burst into giggles. Except J and I. I wasn't about to shy away from the idea of marrying him when I got older. After all, I do love that crazy son of a b***h.
“What movie do you guys wanna watch?” I asked. Rich perked up and shoved me out of the way on his way over to my chosen movies. He snorted as he sifted through them. “C’mon, you cannot be serious.”
I pouted. “What, you have a problem with my old timey movies?”
Rich rolled his eyes and shuffled over to the rest of the movies. “Ah-ha!” he exclaimed, bringing out one of the cases. I swallowed harshly as he turned it towards us. The Shining.
“Hahaha. No.”
“C’mon, it's a classic!”
“No. Gone With The Wind is a classic. Put the horror back on the shelf!”
“Nope. Felicia, hold her back!”
I lunged forward just as Felicia grabbed my arms, holding me in place as Rich slid the disc into the player. I huffed and shoved her off. “I hate you guys sometimes,” I grumbled, shifting closer to a chuckling Jensen to get under his arm.
I hid my face in Jensen’s shoulder most of the time, trying not to get too freaked out. It wasn't working, of course. All three of those b******s knew that I couldn't handle horror movies.
It was halfway through before I couldn't stand it anymore. I stood up and leaped up the stairs, trying and failing to block out the screams from the television.
I curled up in my bed and sighed. Footsteps sounded from the stairs. A knock came at my door.
“It's just me.”
I tensed at Rich’s voice. “Come on in.”
He slowly entered, looking sheepish. I relaxed at his easy grin. C’mon, this is Rich. He wouldn't do that.
I sat up and patted the bed next to me. He plopped down and threw an arm around my shoulders. A smile edged onto my face. Just like old times.
“So, Matty. What's really bothering you?”
My mouth opened and closed multiple times. I was scraping at my brain, yet finding no good response. Finally, I just blurted out, “What do you… Mean?”
Rich rolled his eyes. “Matty, I know you well enough to know that you don't take sick days when you aren't sick. You're too honest for that.”
I ran my tongue over my lips, pondering. I can't tell him. But… what should I tell him then?
“Tell me the truth, Matty. Please.”
I was horrified to find that my eyes had started watering. I turned away from Rich and curled into myself, sniffling and trying to hold the tears back.
“Is it Jensen?”
I tried not to glare. Really, I did. I just… couldn't help it. “No. Why would you even think that, Rich?”
“Because you won't give me a straight answer!”
“Yeah, well, I don't have to tell you everything, you know!”
Our voices were growing louder, an argument bubbling just at the surface.
“I'm your best guy friend, Matty! It's logical to think that Jensen was hurting you, considering the bruises on your wrists!” I stumbled from where I now stood. “Yeah, don't think I didn't notice those little treats!”
“How dare you come up here and accuse my boyfriend of abusing me?! How dare you act like you still care about me just to get in my pants! How dare you-!”
“How dare you think I don't care about you anymore! How dare you think that I'm so stupid to forget about you! Goddammit, Matty!”
His hands clasped my face and pulled me up, smashing his lips onto mine. I gasped and let myself bask in it for just a second. And then the thought hit me like a ton of bricks. You have a boyfriend! What the actual hell are you doing?
I shoved Rich away with shaky hands.
His face registered panic and guilt. “Matty, I-”
“Get out of my house.”
“I-”
“I said OUT, RICHARD!”
His Adam's apple bobbed before he ducked out of my room. I just stood there, staring at the wooden floor with tears slowly trickling down my face. I flinched when the front door slammed.
Jensen pulling me into his arms as I succumbed to the violent sobbing was a blur.
Adrian and Felicia came up as Jensen was wiping off my face. They shared a look and knelt on the ground beside us. They each held one of my hands.
We sat in silence until Adrian spoke up.
“We won't make you talk, but it sounds like you need to.”
My throat clenched and I swallowed hard.
“Okay.”
Jensen picked me up and set me down lightly on the bed. The girls sat on either side of me, hugging me tightly. J plopped heavily in my spinny chair and ran a hand down his face.
“Last night, we went to the skateboard park. Jensen left to go play football with Jared in the field. I was left alone. I did a few stunts before these two drunk guys stumbled in. They-” I breathed out and blinked rapidly, eyes starting to cloud over with memories. “They chased me when I ran. They tackled me to the ground and-” I started to sob. Adrian let me bury my face in her shoulder. Felicia rubbed my back soothingly. J was pointedly looking away, his face scrunched up in a self-loathing grimace. But I didn't see it. I was too caught up in my own emotions. “They tried to… have their way with me. If J didn't get there in time...” I trailed off as I lost it.
Jensen stood and sat behind me, pulling all three of us girls into a group hug. I immediately relaxed as his scent hit me. It was his cologne. I wished it was his natural scent of pine and lemongrass, but the cologne seemed to do the trick.
The silence stretched on. Finally, Felicia went, “You know, when I first saw this hunk, I was straight for a second.”
I let out a watery laugh as the other two cracked up. The vibrations of their laughter eased the tension from my shoulders. Felicia’s slightly bashful grin shooed away the dark storm clouds of memories.
I could see the questions in Adrian’s eyes, but she kept her mouth shut. She always was the one that wanted answers.
“Why don't we go and watch Harry Potter, baby girl?” Jensen smiled.
I nodded. “I'd love that.”
Felicia and Adrian were in blanket bundles on the floor, sleeping soundly. Me and Jensen had simply stolen the blankets set aside for Rich.
As the end of the first movie rolled across the screen, I reached up and planted a chaste kiss to Jensen’s lips.
“I love you, handsome.”
“I love you, too, gorgeous. We'll get through this. I promise.”
I snuggled contentedly into his embrace, my heart soaring as he kissed the top of my head. My consciousness slowly faded away. My last thought was of how protected I felt in Jensen’s arms.
He'll never let anything hurt me. Because he loves me.
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