Brandon

It is breaking my heart that someone has violated Tammy. No girl deserves it, especially not Tammy. She is pure and sweet with a heart of gold. When I find out who did this to her, not only will he have no teeth left, we are going to make sure he gets put away. He can experience what it's like to have your rights taken from you, to be behind bars and only see so much daylight a day. That fucker is going to pay.

I've driven the girls to mine; my mom is at home. Willow, Tammy's sister, will be at school. Her parents are not at home, but we have at least calmed Tammy down and ensured she's called them. Which of course went straight to their voicemail. They're in New York at some gala charity function tonight but the least they can do is pick up her message and call their daughter back. Don't they realize how special she is?

"What's happened? Why aren't you in school?" My mom's voice is accusatory as she looks from me to Lizzie, then her eyes fix on Tammy. It's obvious something serious is wrong from the Lizzie of Tammy's face.

"I didn't know what else to do, Mom," I say as I usher the girls inside properly. Mom is dressed in a sky-blue skater dress with her favourite baking apron on. It's also blue, but a navy blue with cherries on it. She has flour on the apron and some on the side of her face. She looks adorable and I'm sure someone coming through the front door has given her a start since my dad was up at the crack of dawn to travel.

"Come in. Come in." Mom says, heading in front of us to the kitchen and glancing back at Tammy. I can see concern in her eyes. We're all concerned. Rage is fueling me, and it's all I can do to stop myself from finding this prick. Only I haven't got a clue who it is and I daresay if Tammy picked him up at the party, then she hasn't either. But someone will know. It was Ted's party so he'll know who was invited and who wasn't. Although from the amount of people there last night, many probably gatecrashed it.

"Sit down, lovely." Mom pulls out a chair at our round table in the kitchen window bay. It has yellow seat cushions with sunflowers. Tammy practically falls down. She must feel like shit. I feel for her. Lizzie sits down next to her and pulls a chair closer to her friend. She places an arm around Tammy's shoulders. "I'll make a nice pot of tea."

"Thanks, Mom." I feel a bit like a spare wheel. My mother gives me a nod with her head, flicks on the kettle, then nods again in the direction of our utility room at the back of the kitchen. I follow her out. She looks me directly in the eyes.

"What happened to Tammy?" I explain as hard as it is. How do you even begin to tell your mother that someone has date raped your friend? It sickens me, it angers me, and I am going from hatred to wanting to cry for my friend like a ping pong ball.

Mom gasps and places a hand over her mouth. Tears well up in her eyes. I guess it doesn't matter if you're eighteen like me, or in your early forties like my mother. It is still a shock, it is still disgusting, and it still hurts. The pain you feel for the other person, the one who this has happened to, engulfs you. We've all grown up together; Tammy is like my sister. I care for her. I want the best for he. Not this. Not to have been date-raped. It sickens me to the core. I run my hands through my hair. We can hear Tammy crying again in the kitchen.

"Has she called the police yet and her parents?"

"She's left a message with her parents; that's it," I say, still raking my hands through my hair.

"Okay. I am guessing those blasted parents of hers are out smooching with people again and throwing their bloody money around." I nod. Of course they are. "Well, first things first, we're going to get a sweet, hot cup of tea inside her; then she has to file a report at the police station. I will go with her. You and Lizzie need to get back into school." She's giving it her no-nonsense attitude, so who am I to argue that with her? Even though I know Lizzie will want to go to the police station with her friend. I do too for support and to be with her. Tammy knows my mom well, she's been there for Tammy on more than one occasion.

When Tammy fell off a tree she was climbing back when we were twelve, it was Mom who wrapped her arms around her and took her to the A&E department at our local hospital. When Tammy started her period, her parents were in a different country, so it was my Mom who gave her the essential talk about girls growing up and making sure she had towels and how to use tampons. Lots of things my mother has been through with Tammy as she has grown into the beautiful girl she is. I know Tammy is with the best person to go to the police station with right now.

Mom brings me to her and gives me a hug. I want to cry into her shoulder, but I'm a guy, and I don't want my best friend, Lizzie, seeing me break down. Even though I know she would understand.

"Tammy, darling, I am going to take you to the police station after you've had some sweet tea. Lizzie and Brandon will go back to school, and we will file the report together and get that man locked away. Do you hear me, sweetie?" Tammy just nods in between tears streaming down her face and wiping her nose. She is ugly crying, and it's horrid to witness. Lizzie wipes her own tears away. I know she can't face going back to school after this morning, but when my mother has spoken, it's usually the last word.

I need to find out who this asshole is so I can take a bat to his face down a dark alley, preferably with no CCTV around.