The phone rang in Janis's quiet apartment, the familiar sound cutting through the evening stillness. She glanced at her phone, recognizing Regina's number with a mixture of concern and anticipation. When Janis answered, her voice was filled with immediate worry.

"Regina, is everything okay?" Janis asked, her concern evident in her tone.

Regina's voice trembled with raw emotion on the other end of the line. "Janis, I need to talk to you... about Aria."

Janis's mind raced, her concern deepening at Regina's tone. "Of course, Regina. What's going on?"

Regina's voice was heavy with emotion. "I... I think something's wrong, Janis. Aria... she's not who I thought she was."

Janis listened intently as Regina shared the troubling events of the evening—the sudden outburst, the verbal onslaught, and the physical blow that had left Regina shaken and in tears. As Regina recounted the details, Janis's worry grew with each word.

"Regina, I'm so sorry you had to go through that," Janis said, her voice filled with empathy. "You deserve so much better than this. Have you thought about leaving?"

Regina hesitated, her voice wavering. "I... I asked her to leave, but... I don't know what to do next. I'm scared, Janis."

Janis took a deep breath, her mind racing with concern for her friend. "Regina, listen to me. You need to prioritize your safety and well-being. Can you come over? Let's talk in person."

Regina agreed, her voice tinged with relief. Janis guided her through the directions, her heart heavy with worry for her friend.

When Regina arrived at Janis's apartment, the relief on her face was palpable yet overshadowed by lingering fear. Janis welcomed her inside, enveloping her in a comforting embrace.

"Regina, I'm here for you," Janis reassured her, her voice steady. "Let's figure this out together."

As they settled into Janis's living room, Regina recounted the events of the evening once more, her voice trembling with emotion. Janis listened intently, her concern deepening with each detail.

"Regina, I think we need to take this seriously," Janis said gently. "Can I see your arm?"

Regina hesitated before rolling up her sleeve, revealing the faint impression of a handprint on her skin. Janis's heart sank at the sight, her worry reaching a new level of urgency.

"Regina, this is serious," Janis said firmly. "I think we should contact someone who can help."

Regina nodded, her gaze filled with a mixture of fear and determination. Janis reached for her phone, dialing a number with practiced urgency.

"Hello, this is Janis," she said into the phone. "I need to speak with someone about a situation involving domestic violence."

As Janis spoke with the crisis hotline, Regina sat beside her, her emotions in turmoil yet grateful for Janis's unwavering support. Together, they navigated the uncertainties ahead, determined to prioritize Regina's safety and reclaim her sense of self-worth.

In the days that followed, Regina leaned on Janis and her other friends for support, embarking on a journey of healing and empowerment. With each step, Regina grew stronger, her resolve unyielding in the face of adversity.

Through it all, Janis remained a steadfast anchor in Regina's stormy sea, a beacon of hope and unwavering support. Together, they faced the shadows of Regina's past and emerged stronger than ever, united in their pursuit of a brighter, safer future.

And as Regina reclaimed her sense of self-worth and independence, she knew that she was not alone—that she had a circle of friends who would stand by her side, no matter what challenges lay ahead.

///

Regina sat in the comfortable chair of Grace's office, her gaze fixed on the muted colours of the room, finding solace in the tranquil atmosphere. Grace, her therapist, sat across from her, an expression of gentle concern etched on her features.

"Regina, I'm glad you reached out to me," Grace began, her voice soft and reassuring. "How have you been since our last session?"

Regina's hands fidgeted slightly in her lap as she gathered her thoughts, her voice tinged with a mix of vulnerability and determination. "It's been... difficult. Aria... she wasn't who I thought she was."

Grace nodded, her eyes reflecting understanding. "I'm here to listen, Regina. Take your time."

Regina took a deep breath, the memories of Aria's outburst and the ensuing aftermath still fresh in her mind. "She... she became violent, Grace. I never thought it would come to that."

Grace's expression remained empathetic; her focus unwavering. "I'm so sorry you experienced that, Regina. No one deserves to be treated that way."

Regina's voice trembled as she continued, recounting the details of Aria's behaviour—the escalating tension, the verbal abuse, and ultimately, the physical aggression that left Regina shaken to her core. With each word, Regina felt a weight lifting from her shoulders, a cathartic release of emotions she had held inside.

"I didn't know what to do, Grace," Regina admitted, her voice tinged with anguish. "I felt so trapped, so afraid."

Grace listened intently, her gaze conveying both compassion and admiration for Regina's strength in sharing her story. "Regina, it's important to recognize that none of this was your fault. You showed tremendous courage in standing up for yourself."

Regina nodded slowly, her eyes brimming with emotion. "I'm trying to move forward, to rebuild. But... I still have moments of doubt, of fear."

Grace offered a supportive smile. "Healing takes time, Regina. It's okay to feel uncertain. What matters most is that you're taking steps to prioritize your well-being."

As the session drew to a close, Regina felt a sense of relief wash over her, knowing she had Grace's unwavering support in her journey toward healing and recovery. With each session, Regina gained a deeper understanding of herself and the strength she possessed to overcome adversity.

As Regina shared her story, she couldn't shake the profound shift in her interactions with her lacrosse teammates. "Something interesting happened too, Grace. My teammates, who are usually distant or even rude, started to show genuine concern for me. They noticed the bruises, the changes in my demeanour."

Grace's brow furrowed slightly; her curiosity piqued. "That's quite significant, Regina. What do you think changed their behaviour?"

Regina paused, reflecting on the unexpected support she received from her teammates. "I think they sensed something was wrong, even when I wasn't ready to admit it. They started looking out for me, protecting me in their own way."

Grace nodded knowingly. "Having a supportive network of people around you can make a big difference during difficult times."

Regina's thoughts drifted to Karen and Gretchen, her close friends and roommates, who had been unwavering sources of strength throughout her ordeal. "Karen and Gretchen have been incredible too. They've stood by me, offering support and reassurance."

Grace's expression softened. "It sounds like you have a strong support system, Regina."

Regina nodded, a sense of gratitude washing over her. "I'm truly grateful for their support, especially now."

As the session progressed, Regina opened about the legal steps she had taken to protect herself from Aria's escalating behaviour. "I obtained a restraining order against Aria after she showed up at my lacrosse practice, despite being told to stay away. It was terrifying, Grace."

Grace's concern deepened; her voice filled with compassion. "I'm glad you took action to prioritize your safety, Regina. Your well-being is paramount."

Regina's resolve strengthened as she reflected on her journey toward healing and empowerment. "I'm determined to move forward, Grace. To reclaim my sense of self-worth and embrace a brighter future."

Grace offered a supportive smile, her unwavering presence a source of comfort for Regina. "You're making incredible progress, Regina. Remember, you're not alone in this journey."

"Thank you, Grace," Regina said softly, her voice filled with gratitude. "For being here for me."

Grace smiled warmly, her eyes reflecting pride in Regina's resilience. "You're very welcome, Regina. Remember, you are not alone in this."

As Regina left Grace's office that day, she carried with her a renewed sense of hope and empowerment. With the guidance of Grace and the support of her friends, Regina embraced the path forward, determined to reclaim her sense of self-worth and embrace a brighter, safer future. 

This isn't the greatest and I apologise for any mistakes but I just wanted to state that it may be a while before another update just as I have a billion assignments and exams coming up. So thankful to nearly be done with my college course and I hope not to see half of these people next year.