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Sarah sits down next to me. “Everyone is on their way.” I nod in response, unable to form words. “What are you thinking?”
I quickly turn my head toward her. “I don’t know. I feel like I should, but I’m also scared. It’s a lot.”
My window slides open, and I swear, Aaron practically jumps through it, panting, not wearing a jacket. He kicks his shoes off, sits down on the edge of the bed, and takes my hand.
“Jeez, Ace,” I say with a smile.
“I wanted to make sure you’re okay. What do you think? Do you want to do it?”
Urgh.
Brain.
Stop that.
Stop thinking aboutdoing itwith Aaron.
Sarah stifles a laugh, clearly reading my mind. I knock my leg against hers and look back at Aaron. “I’m not sure.”
Miles walks in my bedroom door and I blink at him.
“Front door was closer. Did they ambush you? If I’d known, I’d have warned you.”
“Kinda. It’s okay.”
The window opens again, and Joel and Mackie climb in, talking.
Once everyone has taken off their jackets and boots and gotten comfortable, I say, “Well, gang’s all here. I wanted to talk to you all at once. Because we… never really have. Not about this. I know I shut down for a while. I’m sorry for that. Navigating this hasn’t been easy. I know that first night I couldn’t have imagined reporting him. I wanted to move on. Now… I’m not sure. What do you guys think?”
Everyone looks around the room.
“Someone say something.”
Miles exhales heavily. “I think you should. I… the amount of times I punched him was not enough. He deserves some actual fucking punishment. I never wanted to push you, but… I think you should.”
“Whatever you decide, you know we’ll stand with you,” Mackie says. “It’s your decision, but if you want to, you won’t be alone.”
“Agreed,” Joel says. “I’d love to see him get what he deserves. I know that might be up to karma at this point. Reporting doesn’t necessarily mean anything will happen, but I wish he’d have to live with this, not just you.”
I glance at Sarah. Her voice is quiet as she says, “I’ve always thought you should. I understand why you didn’t, why you still might not want to, though.”
My gaze goes to Aaron and I try not to cry.
“Is the reason you don’t want to do this because you’re scared of what else you might have to endure if you do?” Aaron asks.
I nod slowly. “Yes.”
“Then my answer is this: you are stronger than you realize. You can handle it. And you’ll have all of us by your side the whole way.”
I swallow hard. “I don’t want to talk about it again alone. If you guys will be with me, I’ll do it.”
Everyone nods in agreement.
“We’re always in it together,” Miles says, putting his hand down on the bed in front of me.
“Hell yes, we are.” Joel puts his hand on top of Miles’s.
“Always. No questions asked,” Mackie says, adding her hand.
