Y/n was in the pharmacy that her mother owned, currently she was restocking shelves as her mom muttered to herself next to her. "Mom?" She asked looking to her, just the sight of her mother made her heart break even more.  "You're working too hard, take a break." She suggested placing her hand softly on her shoulder. It took everything in her not to break.

Her mom smiled sadly, touching her hand before standing. "I'm sorry honey." She apologized to her daughter, "I'm so caught up in the trial and everything I haven't been there for you."

Y/n faked a smile, "it's ok mom. Now go relax, get yourself dinner or something. I can finish this up."

She nodded standing up, "I'll stock up on groceries then, are you sure you're ok alone?"

Again she faked a smile, an action she had perfected, "I'm fine."

Her mother left and the familiar sound of the doors bell rang as she watched her leave through the window, she waved goodbye. When she was out of view y/n crouched down onto her knees, running her hands through her hair.

Again the bell rang and she stood, thinking it was her mom, quickly she dried her tears with her sleeve "did you forget somethi-" her face dropped when she saw Scott standing in front of her. "So you're following me now?" She asked him, somehow she wasn't as aggressive towards him as the first time he talked to her.

"Let me just explain." He pleaded, stepping closer to her.

She sighed, picking up a box filled with supplies from the floor, "stop trying to talk to me." She told him turning away.

"Here." He said softly reaching for the box when he saw her struggling against the weight. Surprisingly she let him take if from her arms. "Where do you need it?" He asked waiting for directions.

She sighed biting her lip in thought. Was she actually going to let him help? The more she tried doing things on her own, the more she sank, maybe it be better to let him in, even if it was only a little while. She looked back up at him, "just put it on top of the counter..."

[time skip to court]

He was lying Bryce was lying the whole time and y/n knew it. Hannah would never have slept with him, she just knew it. But the court and even her own mom seemed to believe all the nasty things people made up about her sister. She watched as Bryce calmly made up lies in front of her he would look at her every now and then. To say it was hard was an understatement, y/n had to watch in front of her as Hannah and Jessica's rapist hid the truth from everyone, people believed him.  She was boiling with emotions, part of her wanted to scream that he was a lier and another wanted to cry alone and just be held by someone, anyone and be told that it'd be okay. But she couldn't do any of these things, she had to stay strong for her mom. She sat stiff next to
Clay in the public seatings. She wasn't allowed to be in front with her mom. She couldn't do this anymore and while she felt no one was watching, she stood leaving the room. She took breaths as she walked around, eventually ending up behind the building in a some what empty space.

"Y/n." She heard someone call out she looked up, tears threatening to spill and saw Scott jogging up to her. "Hey.." He told her softly, "Are you...ok?" He knew the answer but he couldn't think of what to say.

She shook her head, taking a breath, "no." She stated laughing, "everything has completely fallen apart on me." She said, covering her face and turning away from him. She didn't want him to see her cry. She didn't want anyone to see her cry. "My mom isn't herself anymore, my dad left us for some other woman, my sister committed suicide and I have to watch that rapist, along with everyone else make my sister look like a whore!" Finally the tears came and she sobbed uncontrollably, fighting to breath.

"Hey." He told her hesitantly touching her shoulder, "I..You'll get through it." He assured her softly.

She didn't stop sobbing, "it's my fault!" She cried "I'm such an idiot, I should have known, she's dead because of me! I ruined my moms life, I ruined everything!"

"Hey." He told her, lifting her chin. "You didn't ruin anything, they did."

She looked down unconvinced.

"Y/n...you're literally perfect." He confessed nervously, "You're kind, you're beautiful and you're intelligent. But you're also strong."

She looked back up at him sadly, "then why do I feel so broken?"

At that moment he didn't care if she hated him or not, he had to help this girl, she was breaking with every breath she took. He hesitated as he wrapped his arms around her protectively, "It's ok." He whispered to her, "I'm helping you through this."

And surprisingly she hugged him back.