Guts

"Hello? Rebecca? Can you hear me?" Alex asked, poking me in the side.

I jumped away from him, not wanting to be touched. I was still in the same spot on the couch, and everyone except Jack was trying to get my attention.

"I think she's ignoring us on purpose," Rian stated, and Zack mumbled something in agreement. I looked up and over at Jack, silently pleading him with my eyes to get their attention off me. He met my eyes and opened his mouth to speak, but Flyzik walked in, making him close his mouth.

"Okay what the hell happened?" He asked, noticing my crying state and Jack's watery eyes.

"Something bad. So very bad," I spoke in a whisper, and tears fell down my already tear-stained cheeks.

"You both look fine. What's the problem?" Rian asked. I looked at Alex, hoping he'd catch on, but I guess he didn't remember anything I'd told him two years previously, which was understandable.

"Care to.. perhaps elaborate?" Matt asked. Jack looked at me, and back up at Matt.

"It was Brandon. And Mitchell," he said, hanging his head low.

"I've heard that name. Why is it so familiar?" Alex asked. I sniffed and looked up, deciding to get this over with.

"Brandon raped me when I was seventeen. He did it again today. Mitchell made Jack watch," I said, embarrassment overcoming me.

"That's why his name is so familiar to me," Alex said, and I nodded. Everyone else stayed silent

"Rebecca.. I.." Matt started, but he didn't finish. I sighed.

"I guess I should tell you guys about Brandon," I said, and Matt sat down next to Stephanie. She hadn't said anything this whole time, and I was afraid of what she'd end up saying. So I told Matt, Stephanie, Zack, and Rian all about Brandon and everything that happened when I was seventeen. None of them interrupted me, which I was thankful for, but when I finished, they started talking at once as Alex and Jack stayed silent, looking at me sadly.

"Guys! Shut up!" I said, talking over them so they could hear me. They quieted down, and looked at me expectantly.

"Don't feel sorry for me guys," I said, rubbing my face.

"Why shouldn't we? He's gotten to you twice. What if he gets you again? There's a higher chance that he will," Stephanie said. I was right. I did fear what she had to say. I sighed.

"Whatever," I mumbled.

"It's not 'whatever' Rebecca! This guy has raped you twice! That's something very serious, not just 'whatever.' You need to call the cops and report these guys, because if you don't, I will," Alex said, his expression serious. This only brought more stinging, hot tears to my eyes.

"But I'm afraid! What if they-they find out and-and what if they find me again? What'll happen then?" I asked, rushing my words, and using my hands while I spoke.

"We won't let them, Becca, that's the thing. If they show up here, all of us will defend you and keep you away from them," Alex said, and I narrowed my eyes at him.

"Don't call me that," I muttered. Alex sighed.

"Fine. But seriously. Call the fucking cops, Rebecca. Your time is ticking. If you don't do it by.. let's say Monday.. I'll do it, and you won't like it," Alex said. Monday? He's giving me two days to do something I probably won't do? I sighed and ran a hand through my hair.

"Be gentle on her, Alex," Jack snapped, speaking up. I looked over at him, and smiled, but he didn't return it.

"Says you. You've said hardly anything since you got back," Alex retorted.

"That doesn't matter. I was there, I saw what happened, and the both of us can call the cops together... or better yet, we could go down to the station," Jack said. Alex scoffed.

"Sure. Or you'll go, because she's too fucking chicken to do anything by herself. I had to push her to tell you how she felt because she 'couldn't do it.' That's fucking sad," Alex said, making my jaw fall open. Stephanie looked at him with wide eyes, and she glared at him. Jack looked at me, and tears fell down my cheeks at Alex's harsh words.

"You're a fucking dick, you know that Alex?" Jack asked, and he rushed over to me, pulling me into his arms.

"Well, maybe she should man the fuck up and stop crying over every little problem. It's life, life's hard," Alex said.

"Alex! Stop it!" Stephanie said, but her attempt was feeble.

"No. She needs to realize that life doesn't revolve around her. Her problems are becoming our problems again, and when she wasn't here, everything was nice!" Alex said, voice raised.

"Well who gives a fuck!? It's nice with her around. She's my friend, your friend, whether you like it or not, and Zack's, Rian's, and Matt's friend, and she's even closer with Jack. So suck it up and let it go," Stephanie said, her voice harsh. I only sobbed harder into Jack's neck, using his shirt as comfort. He rubbed my back, trying to calm me down, and it started to work.

"Fine. Defend her. That's all you ever do is defend people! It's ridiculous!" Alex said.

"Now this is about me!?" Stephanie asked. Jack picked me up, and he carried me into the back lounge, Alex and Stephanie's voices following us. I was set on the couch, and Jack knelt in front of me. I opened my eyes, and I placed my face in my hands, looking at Jack through my fingers as I tried desperately to keep my sobs to myself.

"I-I fuck everything up, J-Jack," I said into my hands, taking a deep breath.

"No. No you don't. It isn't your fault, Alex is just being a fucker," Jack said, and he removed my hands from my face, and he held them, lacing his fingers through mine. He then kissed me, nice and slow and gentle. His lips were soft and warm, and they moved against mine expertly. Butterflies danced in my stomach, and when Jack pulled away, I immediately missed his lips and wanted them back on mine.

"Better?" He asked quietly. I didn't say anything, but I rested my forehead against his.

"I'll take that as a yes, then," he said, chuckling a little bit. I smiled, and pressed my lips back onto his. We could hear Alex and Stephanie fighting still from the front lounge, and I felt rather guilty. I pulled away from Jack and smiled at him, that smile vanishing as Matt entered the back lounge.

"Come out here. Now," he ordered, and we followed him out. Alex and Stephanie were tearing each other's throats out.

"Fucking stop! You both are being ridiculous!" I yelled over both of them, making them look at me. Alex stormed off towards his bunk.

"Good fucking riddance," Stephanie said.

"You okay?" I asked her, and she nodded.

"Yeah.. I'll be fine. It'll all be back to normal in a few days... or as close to normal as you can get," she said. She pulled me into an embrace, and I returned it quickly before stepping out of it.

"You okay now, Rebecca? Zack asked, and I nodded.

"Yeah. Thanks to Jack," I said, looking at him with a smile.

Jack was perfect.

Notes

Chapter Twenty-Six

Title Cred: The Pretty Reckless

I'm too tired and lazy to edit this right now. :P Hope you enjoy it. :3

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