Thrust Into His Arms

"Leave me alone!" I cried out, more afraid than I have ever been in my entire life. I was certain I had felt real, true fear before now from all he has done to me before. But nothing compares to this one. A scream erupts from my throat as he whirls me around, shoving me against the bookshelf. And wrapping his hand firmly around the slender column of my neck.

"You could not accept them because it came from me?" He reiterates my words. "Then I have to give you something that you can’t throw away then. As well as teaching you a lesson!" He growled.

"Don’t. I’m sorry. Leave me alone please!" I croak, barely getting the words out as his grip tightens.

I let out a wheezed gasp as he leans into me—the hard ridges of his body fitting into mine. I went rigid with terror.

The air in my chest rattles, and I’m afraid of whatever he wants to do. I squeeze my eyes shut, preparing to sink deep into my mind when his grip around my throat disappears.

"What is going on here?" The librarian’s voice reaches my ears. My eyes snaps open. There she was, standing at the beginning of the shelf. I have never been so grateful for her presence, or anyone else for that matter.

"Next time." Calix whispers in my ears before he steps away. I sink to the floor, weak and dejected and also slightly relieved that I got saved. But I know that it is only a matter of time before he comes to catch me again.

The librarian comes to crouch besides me, asking if I am okay. "What happened? Was he hurting you?" She asks, touching my face with a look of concern. An act that I find rhetorical. Didn’t she see what he was doing? If she really is concerned she would have stopped him from leaving and be giving him this query instead of me.

"My goodness, you are all shaken up. Was he assaulting you? You can talk to me, I will have him reported." She adds. I scoff inwardly. This is exactly how a very small percentage of them are.

The school heads and teachers. Most of them pretend to not know about Calix’s bullying of me. When faced with it, they make me out to be the problem and try to downplay it. There is also the very few others who only pretend to show concern. The Dean, Ms Carla, and now this woman. But none of them have taken actions.

They won’t. She would be no different too.

So what is the point in answering that hypocritical question of hers? "It’s nothing. We only just had a small misunderstanding." I lied. "Listen, you don’t have to hide it. You can tell me the truth." She prompts, "I saw what he was doing to you."

Oh you did? Then what more do you need?

"That is the truth. Sorry for causing you concern." I stood up and left the library. I wipe my face with my hands to erase some of the misery etched on my face. I blink rapidly, taking deep breaths to hold back tears and seem normal until I get to the restroom and lock myself in behind a stall.

I can’t go to class like this.

On my way there, I saw Rex. I did not mind that he was in the company of Lucas and the others and immediately went to him. He turns back as I call out his name, his face brightens upon seeing me. "Hey Gwen, have you—"

"I need to talk to you." I say, cutting him off.

"Alone." I needfully emphasize. I want to tell him everything. I just can’t keep it to myself anymore.

"What is the matter?" He asks, worry burgeoning in his expression. I led him with me to the swim section where I know no one would be at this time—not even the Coach. I first thought of the girl’s restroom, but then brought him here instead as I did not want what I want to tell him to be accidentally overheard by anyone.

"Gweneth, are you okay?" He asks in deep worry.

"No I’m not. You see. . . . . I lied to you. Calix still has been bothering me. It has gotten even worse now. He is blackmailing me." I started.

"What?" He frowns.

"It started that night of the Gala. He has my nude photos—remember that sleepover that I told you I went to at Courtney’s house? I don’t know who had taken my nudes there and given it to Calix who is now using it to blackmail me. He threatened to use them to get me expelled if I don’t. . .

He has been sexually assaulting me."

Rex stares dead at me for a few seconds after I concluded the rambling explanation. He looks like he is trying to fully register and make sense of it. When he does, he facepalms, an outrageous look suddenly comes on. "When exactly did this start, and how long has it been going on?" He inquires in an angry tone.

"Since the night of the Gala. But even before that he has been—"

"And you didn’t think to tell me?" He half-yells.

"I was scared. He threatened me not to tell you and I. . . had no choice. I didn’t know what else to do."

"Oh my God!" He exclaims.

"That is not even the worse part." I started again. "He has also been sneaking into my bedroom.

Yesterday—last night, he brought me flowers and other stuff, and I had immediately thrown them away. But I found them in my locker when I came a while ago. He put them there. He cornered me about it in the library just now and—"

"Calix is here?" His suddenly asks, brows deeply knitted like he is trying to make sense of it too.

"Yes. He—"

"But he said that he wouldn’t come to school today!"

"Where are you going?" I ask as he leaving.

He seethes, "To go find that bastard!" I go to stop him, "Wait! There is one more thing you need to know. Courtney." I say.

"What about her?"

"You’ve heard that her body has been found right?"

"Yes I heard. Someone saw her corpse in a lake and called the police."