I lie on the floor in a fetal position and hug my legs to my chest in an attempt to recover from what had just happened.

I hear Elaine's voice at the door of the locker room and I crouch into an even smaller pose.

Hey! Where were you? Why are you sitting on the floor? What are you doing here? and what's with the towel? Elaine threw a barrage of questions at me.
I looked up at her, and the moment she noticed my tear stricken face she knew something was wrong. She knelt beside me wrapping her long slender arms around me.
What happened? She asks, this time a bit quieter than before.
He......he
He.....tried...to r...rape me!!
Huh?! Who?
I..... don't know them Elaine, I replied slowly.
But I'm sure that they were sent by Jayden.
Well can you remember them?
"I ....I guess so", I reply unsure. Everything happened so quickly that I didn't even have time to register their faces in my head. All I remember is that Jenai came and he...he saved me.
Jenai saved you from Jayden's boys? But why?

I glance up at her miffed. What do you mean by that?!

Don't get me wrong Jess,, I didn't mean to sound that way, but the P4 rarely contradict each other this sort of internal conflict never happens. If Jayden orders someone's "execution", she said making air quotes with her fingers, no other member prevents it from happening no matter how unjustified it is. That's why I'm a bit surprised she explains. I'm just glad he came to your rescue she smiles, hugging me again.

I nod slowly, processing everything in my head.
Why had Jenai saved me? Why didn't he just stand aside?
Elaine interrupts my thoughts.

Let's go home". She says decisively. I don't even bother to argue. I'm not even sure where exactly I'm headed as I let Elaine lead towards the school gates.

We head towards the trotro station amidst curious stares from passersby but strangely no one asks us anything about why we weren't in school.

Thankfully Ma isn't home when Elaine and I get there. We settled in my room and I called Gabby who arrived in ten minutes flat.

He did what?! Gabby screamed at me.
Why are you screaming? Elaine threw back at her.
Well because I'm frustrated! She yells.

First he tries to make you lick his shoe, then he tries to make you into a living pancake! And now this! What's he going to do next? Do we just sit and wait? We have to report this!

"No Gabby not today "I reply quietly. Nothing's going to come out of it... I acknowledge.

Then when? Gabby continues to probe. When he's hurt tons more? Or when someone dies because of his reckless behavior? He needs to be taught a lesson and he needs to get it now! she says to me grabbing my shoulders, slightly shaking me, her pitch steadily rising as it did every time she was upset about something.

"We need a plan! Something to shake him up really good. Something to end all this. Something to show him what you are made of. Something to...to finish him"!

Gabby! We all scream at her, shocked.

What?. She asks us innocently twirling her hair around her finger.

That's enough Gabby I get it. I interrupt. "But....."

"I agree"

Gabby and I turn to face Elaine, surprised. She wasn't the type of person that would openly agree to do things she was scared of.

Elaine continued in her usual quiet way. "You can be the reason why bullying can end in Lincoln Community. Because YOU stood up to him. I'm willing to help you with this Jessie"

"Good girl"! Gabby exclaims, hugging Elaine.

"You know I'm down for this" Gabby laughs. We just need the perfect plan and the perfect accomplice."
****************************************************
A little later on the other side of town, Jayden, Jake and Wendell were having dinner in one of the restaurants Wendell's family owned.

Jayden was laughing at a joke Wendell made when Jenai marched towards them.
"You know it's amazing that you can even laugh after what you've done"!. He spits out at Jayden.

Jayden sighed and put his fork down.
What's your problem man? You were never like this before, not even with Darren so what's up with all of this?
Not even with Darren?! Are you crazy?! This thirst for control is going to rip you apart Jayden!

Yeah man you hurt that guy pretty badly". Wendell admitted
Jayden huffed. "You guys just don't seem to understand that you can't insult me and get away with it"! No one belittles me, NO ONE!! He shouted.

Look man, Jayden says in a less angry tone. I just wanna show her who's boss okay? As soon as she acknowledges that's it all right?
Jenai shook his head clearly unconvinced. "Sounds like you didn't hear me the first time Jay. The boys nearly raped her! RAPE! "That's a crime, a sin even!

"Whoa Jen relax , breathe! Jake called out to Jenai as he stood up from the table.
Jenai shook his head, hands on his waist.
"I SAID MO AND HIS GODDAMN BOYS TRIED TO RAPE HER"! He roared so loudly the glasses on the table shook.

"Well if we didn't hear you the first time we just heard it crystal clear now". Jayden laughed. "Look man they made a mistake and they're sorry for it". Just.... let.....it .....go!.
That's exactly my point Jayden! Let it go! You let it go! You've been holding on to the past holding to grudges that are gradually eating you up man! Hurting others who speak up to you for bullying them isn't the way!
Wendell and Jake who had been standing beside Jayden since the beginning of the argument both started to raise their eyebrows at Jenai, a signal to tell him he had to stop, but Jenai was too peeved to care.

All that happened is in the past now, and none of it is gonna change. You just gotta man up and move on!
Jayden eyes turned to cold brown slits. Shut up Jenai! You don't know anything about what happened, don't act like you do!

Wendell moved to stand between the two,sighed and shook his head. Jesus...... the heat here is crazy!. Let's all just calm down okay?.

Don't ever bring up talk about me like that ever again You don't anything. You don't know how it's been, you know nothing!
Jenai lightly pushed Wendell aside and squarely faced Jayden.

"Between the both of us I think I had it a lot worse than you did. My parents died! Right in front of me! Burned alive!. You think you're more hurt than I am? You think I don't want to die myself?.... Whatever man I'm done, he said walking out.

Jenai! Jen..... come on man, what do you mean you're done? Jake asked running after him.
I mean I'm done, excuse me..... he said stepping out of the restaurant, and onto his motorbike. He revved the engine and turned back to Jake
"Take care okay? He smiled lightly and sped off.
Jake went back into the restaurant to find Jayden and Wendell had also left.
"What the....? Who's going to pay for the food ? Wendell!!!