-Sometimes reality is much worse than nightmares.   ~Brielle

I was jolted awake by my nightmares. I was being haunted by the bad memories throughout the entire night. I blinked my eyes trying to clear my blurry sight. 

Where was I? Focusing in the dark of night, realization washed over me as I remembered going to the waterfall with Enzo and coming home with him, but when did I fall asleep? and why didn't he wake me up.

With the excruciating pain that poked my eyes from all the crying, I walked to the mirror looking at myself and I wasn't shocked seeing that my eyes were bloodshot red with my hair presenting a bird nest. 

I looked like a zombie, a walking dead.

The t-shirt I have on is covered in sweat. My heart frantically beat against my chest as I saw that I was alone in the room as I vividly remembered what happened in school yesterday.

I went back to bed and curled up into a ball, then pulled the covers over me which made a cold gust of air to pass over me.

As I laid there looking out of space, everything came crashing back at full speed and a loud heartbreaking sob escapes my lips.

⚠️WARNING: Sexual Assault Ahead.

| Flashback | Thursday 11:55 a.m |

I was walking out of class when a girl came up to me. "Hey, you're Brielle right?"

"Yeah I am." I said confused as to why she's asking.

"Right, I saw your friend Marcus and that rich guy going in the school's basement. I heard they're going to fight it out." She told me and I panicked. 

Why would Marcus do that when he knows he could get into trouble again? "A-Are you sure it was Marcus?" I asked making sure it was really him.

"Yes, I'm sure. Dark brown hair and grey eyes right? Come on I'll show you." She said and grabbed my hand leading me to where the basement was. Most times that's where the kids go to 'fight it out' as they claimed.

As we reached the door for the basement she opened it and let me entire first. It was a little dark and I started having mixed feelings about this. "Marcus?" I called out. Soon after I heard the door locked and I realized I was trapped inside. 

That bitch trapped me. Why am I such an idiot?

The entire place was a bit dark and the stairs going down into the basement looked so creepy that it made me shivered. "HELP, I'M STUCK INSIDE." I yelled out banging the door hard but deep down I know that nobody outside that door will hear me. 

Why do you think they always fight down here? because the principal or teachers won't be able to hear them.

I heard footsteps and my eyes widened. "Anybody here?" I called out again. I took my phone out deciding to call someone to get me out but my luck ran out when I saw the network on my phone dropped completely. Shit!

I turned on my flashlight and walked around trying to find something that can open a door. "You fell right into my trap babe." I heard a dark chuckle and I jumped turning around with the flashlight, my heard sped up even more seeing who it was.

"W-What? what are you doing here?" I asked stupidly.

"To take what's rightfully mine of course." Justin said as his lips curled up into a sinister grin.

"Why can't you just leave me alone dude?" I asked trying to stray his mind away from doing anything to me.

"You drive me crazy, plus you're the first girl to ever resist me. I love a good challenge babe." He said with his eyes twinkling with excitement.

"And that body of yours, is like a goddess. I just can't help it, it's all your fault for looking this good. You're the one asking for it" He said with a smile. Was it really my fault?

He grabbed me by my wrist painfully and I tried to get away from him but he was too strong so I bit his hand and he let me go grunting in pain as I ran further away from him trying to find somewhere to hide. I found a spot and bent down trying to hide away from his line of vision.

"Brielle, Brielle. Come out wherever you are babygirl." He sang out in his horrible voice and I heard his footsteps getting closer. "You know, I sent men to kill that bitch Marcus so that we can finally be together but those fools failed me. Don't worry though, I'll find some way to get rid of him for us."

"There's no us you tiny dick pervert." I shouted, then covered my mouth realizing the mistake I made. I just gave away my hiding spot because I couldn't control the anger I felt hearing what he did.

I stayed where I was breathing heavily while saying a small prayer. "Found you!" He said laughing. 

"When I'm done with you, no-one will ever want you again." I heard him say making me jump and run, but before I could get anywhere he pulled me by my hair, throwing a punch in my face which made me fall to the ground. "You're making me do this, if you would just shut the fuck up and do as I say I wouldn't have to hurt you babe."

I stuck my middle finger at him as I groaned out in pain. That was one hell of a punch. "Be a good girl and strip." He said standing over me. I shook my head telling him no with a look of disgust.

He punched. . .

He kicked. . .

He slapped. . .

"Fuck y-you." I spat at him, spitting out blood. Shit I really need to keep my mouth shut.

He grabbed my chin tightly with his hand, forcefully kissing me then he used his other hand zipping down his pants. I tried to move away but he back me in a corner and I couldn't move. "No stop, please don't." 

"I'm going to teach this mouth a lesson. Open it." He said slapping me across my face which caused me to gasp at the stinging sensation. He took that opportunity to shove his tiny dick in my mouth. 

"You're the one asking for it wearing those clothes. You're just in denial right now, don't worry you'll love it." He groaned out licking his lips. 

I felt disgusted, violated, traumatized, nauseous. 

Tears fell from my eyes.

As soon as he did that he moaned out and his eyes rolled back as he pushed it further in my mouth, but what more is there to push anyways? It felt like a small banana. 

An idea came to mind and I bit down on his dick hard, so hard that I felt my teeth pierced through it and he screamed out in agony.

He quickly pulled it out of my mouth and held on to it kneeling down. I actually saw tears in his eyes as he cried out. I spit out the taste of him that was left in my mouth, then I ran.

I quickly ran up the stairs trying to open the door again and to my surprise it opened. Weird, it was locked before. 

I didn't waste my time thinking about that as I ran out of the school with one destination in mind.

Was this what Chelsea was talking about? did she have something to do with this?

I felt like I cheated on Enzo, that's disgusting. The tears kept falling as I ran and ran.

| Flashback Ends |

As soon as Enzo went outside his office that day, I quickly went to the bathroom and brushed my teeth, I even vomited. I made sure Enzo didn't see me though. 

When Enzo's mom came I broke down right then and there again, she made me feel so comfortable and welcome that I started spilling everything to her. It's not that I didn't feel comfortable around Enzo, it's just that I was afraid to tell him what Justin did to me. 

I thought he would hate me or say it was my fault as well.

Thank God he found out what happened anyway. I don't think I had the heart to say what happened in front of him.

You may be wondering why some women don't report these things? Well because not all of us are lucky enough for them to believe. Most of us are blamed and victimized instead. The system that's supposed to help us only marginalizes us. 

The people you are supposed to call for help, do not help you. The abusers and assaulters get away with everything. Well that's how I see it.

I looked over at the clock showing 1:49 a.m, it's already morning. I wonder if Enzo is sleeping as yet. I decided to go to his room and see if he's asleep. I don't want to stay alone.

I walked over to his room, the hallway was dark and I shivered in fear. I quickly picked up my pace, reaching there within seconds. I knocked at his door for about 3 minutes and still did not hear anything, I decided to open the door myself.

I stepped inside the room and saw that the bed was empty, I looked in the bathroom but it was also empty. I sighed in disappointed and turned to leave, that was until I spotted his balcony door wide open.

Is he out there? I thought to myself as I made my way over there. I was greeted by Enzo sitting with his legs spread wide, his head rested on the chair headrest and his eyes were closed while he had a cigar in his mouth. I know he's not sleeping because I saw him taking a puff as the smoke came out through his nose.

So.

Hot.

I cleared my throat to announce my presence and he turned his head so quickly I thought he would get a whiplash. I'm sure he wasn't expecting me to be awake or be talking to him. The truth is, I wasn't really upset about the prank he pulled, I was just scared.

At that moment I realized just how important he is to me and if what he did today would've happened for real, I'm not sure what would've happened to me. 

He's my entire world now.

"Angel? You're awake." He immediately got rid of whatever he was smoking. "Come here." He said, taking my hands, pulling me on his lap. I guess he likes it when I'm sitting on his lap.

"Yeah, I couldn't sleep well. I didn't know you smoked." I told him and he gave me a sad smile.

"Yeah, just not often. Let's go cuddle." He said picking me up bridal style and walked into his room. I just laid my head on his chest listening to his frantic heartbeat.

He laid on the bed putting me on top of him as he kissed my forehead and I felt the butterflies take over my stomach.

"Love, what is your mom like?" Enzo asked, playing with my hair and making me feel sleepy.

"She's an amazing mom, friendly, understanding, caring, kind. Don't worry she will like you for sure." I told him while looking into his beautiful Havel eyes.

"Hm, I hope so." He hummed. "So who's this Marcus guy you said you made friends with?"

"Why? are you jealous?" I asked with a tiny smirk.

"As a matter of fact, yes I am indeed jealous. Do you not see how appealing you look? I have to watch out for these men." He said with a pout on his pink lips.

I burst out laughing and blushed. "Well you have nothing to worry about because I consider him my brother and I wouldn't even dream of looking at another guy that's not you. You've already ruined me for any other man."

"I'm happy to hear that, angel." He cuddled me tighter with a big bright smile on his face.

"He was actually the one who saved me at the party before something bad could escalate." I said quietly. Might as well I tell him now.

"What party? what are you talking about Elle?" He looked at me with a clenched jaw. Elle? oh fuck, he's angry.

"I went to a school birthday party last year, that same guy drugged me and sexually assaulted me. Marcus was the one who found me before he could go any further. He still even assaults me at school sometimes. Do you remember when I was dodging you an entire week?" I asked and he nodded at me. "Well I had bruises all over my face and body because of him. It's like he's obsessed with me and my body. I couldn't let you see it so I avoided meeting up with you." I shook my head trying to not let the tears fall again.

"What the fuck Elle? why is that bastard not in jail and why didn't you tell me?" He asked angrily and I felt bad I didn't tell him before.

"We did try putting him in jail but it all went in vain, we took some pictures last year of what he did to me as well, unfortunately they didn't believe it was him, plus his dad paid off the police not to do anything and the principal didn't care either when my mom went to him, all he cares about is money." I explained truthfully, he looked like he was about to burst in anger.

He placed a kiss on my forehead. "I'm going to make them pay for what they did to you soon baby, just trust me okay? can you do that for me?" He asked looking straight into my eyes.

"I trust you Dari." I told him quietly. He smiled at me and I noticed his one dimple popping out. So cute.

"Thank you, Mon amour." He spoke softly. "Not that anything is wrong with you, but you went to a therapist right?"

"Yeah I went to one for a year when my nightmares started haunting me every night. I also developed PTSD." I said to him and his eyes widened.

"Wow, you're so strong, so open-minded and tenacious. You're amazing you know that right?" He asked making me blush. He thinks I'm strong but I'm not. 

I can't count the amount of time I broke down in the shower or the amount of time I wished I wasn't born. I always try my best to fight back but I'm weak.

"You think so?" I asked, pecking his lips.

"Of course angel." He looked at me with pure adoration.

"Whenever something is wrong, call me immediately. I don't care if you think that shit is minor, you call me. I don't give a fuck if you think I'm busy, call me. Whatever I'm doing is never more important than you. Understand?" He looked at me with a serious face and I nodded with a small smile. "Use your words, baby."

"I understand, D. Thank you for listening to me." I told him.

"I'll always listen to you. Do you want us to watch a movie?" I got excited at the mention of movies and nodded my head.

"Ok, you choose." He told me, I took the remote looking for a movie. I decided to watch White Chicks. I haven't watched it in forever, it's been too long.

I put the movie on getting comfortable between his legs as we cuddled up. 

I felt him shaking his head and murmured. "White Chicks, Clueless, Mean girls? These seem like the same movies to me, just different characters and fonts." He said with a cute frown. I remembered making him watch mean girls with me the other night, I'm surprised he remembered.

"Well I feel like they're based on different high schools with similar problems the teen girls faced, they have a similar life lesson." I told him, focusing on the movie.

"I don't understand why they always make the mean girls be blonde and make them act dumb. That's so weird." He said to me interestingly.

"I always thought that as well. They always use the blondes as villains in the books I read as well, it's crazy. Poor blondes." I said truthfully, we continued watching the movie until we fell into a peaceful slumber.

Is it weird that whenever I sleep in his arms I never have nightmares. 

Yes weird.

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-Hey guys, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. 

Things are about to get interesting soon.♨️

#DoubleUpdate.💕

Love,

Leyah.