𝘾𝙃𝘼𝙋. 𝙁𝙄𝙁𝙏𝙔 𝙏𝙃𝙍𝙀𝙀 ─── 𝖲𝖤𝖠𝖲𝖮𝖭 𝟯
❝ 𝖨'𝖬 𝖠 𝗦𝗨𝗥𝗩𝗜𝗩𝗢𝗥 ❞
❪ 𝘈𝘕𝘋   𝙏𝙃𝙀𝙉   𝘛𝘏𝘌    𝙃𝙐𝙍𝙍𝙄𝘾𝘼𝙉𝙀 𝙃𝙄𝙏 ❫

𝟱𝟯. ╱ ✷      ❝ 𝗆𝖾   𝖺𝗇𝖽   𝗒𝗈𝗎   𝘁𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿? ❞
❝ 𝗺𝗲   𝖺𝗇𝖽   𝘆𝗼𝘂,   𝗃𝗎𝗌𝗍𝗂𝗇   𝖿𝗈𝗅𝖾𝗒. ❞
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"𝘿𝙊 𝙄𝙉𝙉𝙊𝘾𝙀𝙉𝙏 people run? They do, if that's their only choice."

"Do either of you have any idea where Clay is?" Lainie looks between the two teenagers.

"We have no clue." Riley shook her head.

"When we came home last night, he wasn't there." Justin says to the older blonde woman.

"And what time was that?" Dennis questioned.

"Around midnight." Riley answered, thought it was a lie, "I picked him up.

"When I woke up, his bed was still made. I tried calling his phone, but then I remembered the cops took it."

"And he gave neither one of you no indication that he intended to flee?" Dennis asked.

"No warning at all."

"Well, can you blame him?" Matt asked, glasses hanging on the bridge of his nose, "The police just kicked down our door, for Christ's sake. He's scared shitless."

"Justin, Riley; I know that the two of you and Clay protect each other, but if there's something that you're not telling us--,"

"We don't know anything." Riley cuts her aunt off.

"We sear. I — He clearly didn't want us to know."

"Justn and Riley were just as good as their word. They would defend Clay until the end. Which was going to get complicated."

"Or Clay would defend Justin and Riley."

"Or Tyler Down. Or Jessica Davis. Or Zach Dempsey. As a fugitive Clay, had one weakness. He cared about other people."

˗ˏˋ 𖤐 ˎˊ˗

"𝗪𝗘𝗟𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗘, 𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗬𝗢𝗡𝗘." Principal Bolan stood behind the podium in the gym, Liberty students on one side and Hillcrest students on the other, "And a very special welcome to our guest from hillcrest. We would like this to be a time . . . to come together."

Riley lets out a quiet sigh, resting her head on Justin's shoulder, smiling softly as she felt the boy lay his on top of hers.

"The interruption of our Homecoming game inflamed feelings on all sides. And it was followed a few days later . . . by the news of the tragic death of a former Liberty and recent Hillcrest student, Bryce Walker." Bolan kept going with his speech, "Now, I've spoken at length with the student leadership, and Hillcrest administrators. We agreed it was time to bring out schools together for a day of accountability and healing. And with that in mind . . . Jessica Davis, student body president and organizer of the protest, would like to offer a few words."

Everyone claps for Jessica as she stands up and makes her way over to the podium.

"Thank you, Principal Bolan. You're absolutely right that in times like these, people need to be held accountable for their mistakes." Jessica spoke into the microphone, "And after something traumatic happens, it's important to focus on healing. But the thing is . . . how is anybody supposed to heal if all we do is cover up the wounds and hope that they'll go away?"

"We have to look at them and recognize them for what they are. We have to be honest about who actually got hurt and how." Jessica rests her hands on the podium as she looks between both schools, "The protest I led was an attempt to draw attention to the rape culture in boys' sports and throughout our school. And yes, I admit that the way I went about it wasn't perfect."

"I'm sorry for how it all ended. I really am. But making mistakes is part of being a survivor. At first, you think you're like . . . permanently broken. But then . . . little by little, you start picking up the pieces and you start realizing what you're making is a mirror. And . . . the more of those piece that you put together, the more you start to see yourself. But maybe we can start picking up those pieces of that mirror together, and we can finally see the truth."

"If you think sexual assault doesn't affect your life, you're wrong. There are survivors all around us. People you care about . . . who you never knew were suffering in silence. Let them know that you're there to listen. It's time for you to know the survivors in your life. To hear their stories and to know that their voice matters. My name is Jessica Davis, and I'm a survivor."

"My name is Casey Ford, and I'm a survivor."

"Jessica was fearless."

"My name is Janelle martin, and I'm a survivor."

"And her courage spread."

"My name is Maggie Kim, and I'm a survivor."

"My name is Tyler Down. . . ," Tyler's voice cracks as he stood up after seeing Clay walk into the gym, ". . . And I'm a survivor."

"My name is Lina Ochoa. And I'm a survivor."

"It went beyond her group."

"My name is Sarah Stern. And I'm a survivor.

"My name is Robby Corman . . . and I'm a survivor."

"My name is Tonya Brown. I'm a survivor."

Justin turns his head, kissing the top of Riley's head, "Me and you? Together?"

Riley moves her head, looking up at him with a teary-eyed smile, "Me and you, Justin Foley."

Together, the two teenagers stand up, fingers instantly intertwining as every pair of eyes turned to them, hushed whispers sounding out around them.

Alex and Zach, who had been sitting next to the two, turn to each other in shock; Alex shocked about both teenagers and Zach shocked about just one of them.

"My name is Justin Foley."

"And mine is Riley Jenson."

The two look at each other before locking eyes with Jessica, both speaking in perfect sync, "And we're survivors."

"Jessica was totally fearless that day. She acted like someone who didn't care about the cost of courage."

Jessica looks around her at all of the people standing up, people who had finally spoken up and took the microphone from the stand, "To those of you who are still seated, I know a lot of you still have stories, but you're not ready to share them yet. And that's okay. When you're ready, we'll listen. And we will continue to fight to make sure that no one is assaulted, harassed or abused at this school. We will not sit down. We will not be quiet. We will not rest until that happens."

Principal Bolan is the first one to begin clapping, soon followed by everyone else.

Justin smiles softly, bringing Riley into another hug and once again kissing the top of her head.

˗ˏˋ 𖤐 ˎˊ˗

"𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗬𝗢𝗨 okay?" Zach asks Riley as he brings her into a tight hug, the blonde having to stand on her tiptoes just to be able to wrap her arms around his neck as she reciprocated the hug.

"Yeah, I'll be fine." She smiled, rocking the two of them slightly, "It was for Tyler and Jessica anyway. They deserved to know that they aren't alone in our small circle of friends."

"I'm proud of you for speaking out and telling." Zach finally let's go of the blonde, "And I know that Jeff is proud of you too."

"Thank you." Riley bumps her fist against his, "I'm gonna go see if I can find Jessica."

"Okay."

Riley gives him one more smile, quickly running over to where Jessica was standing talking to a girl, jumping on the Davis girls back, "Baby cakes! That was one hell of a speech!"

Jessica grinned as Riley jumps down the two girls hugging each other, "How come I didn't know? About you?"

"I wasn't ready to tell anyone yet. Even if it was way before Hannah ever came along." Riley said, "But you're speech impacted me, plus I was going to even if Tyler hadn't done it. I was mostly doing it for him . . . and you."

"I love you, Riley."

"I love you, Jess."

"Hey." Ani walks up to the two girls with a smile.

"Hey."

"That was . . . incredible." Ani tells the Davis girl, "You were incredible."

"Thank you. I was so freaked out, but . . . I'm so happy I did it. Seeing all those people stand up, it was—,"

Ani nodded along to her words, cutting her off, "I loved that bit in your speech about the mirror. Is that — is that from something, or . . . ,"

Riley looks at Ani with a suspicious look on her face.

"Why, what do you mean?" Asked Jessica.

"Well, nothing, it was just. . . it was really beautiful." Ani smiles, "And I was just wondering if it was . . something you'd heard before, or if it just came to you."

"I don't know. I guess it just kind of came to me." Jessica stated, grabbing Riley's hand, "We should . . . ,"

"Yeah, of course. Congrats."

"I seriously cannot stand her." Riley grumbled as Jessica pulled her alone with her, "Like, just the sound of her voice makes me want to bash my head into a fucking wall."

Jessica laughed.

"I guess I wondered where that fearlessness might have come from."

˗ˏˋ 𖤐 ˎˊ˗

"𝗖𝗟𝗔𝗬, 𝗪𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗘 the fuck have you been?" Justin asked as he walked over to where he and Tyler were standing, Riley hot on his heels after she had spotted her cousin as well.

"I have to go."

"Are you fucking crazy?" Riley asked, looking at him with a shocked expression on her face, "You can't run."

"Justin." Jessica walked over to the group, "Was that real just then?"

"Yes. Yeah—,"

"Clay Jensen!" Sheriff Diaz's voice cut him off, everyone staring at the boy as he and his deputies walked over to the boy, "Clay Jensen, I have a warrant for your arrest for the murder of Bryce Walker. Turn around. Put your hands behind your back."

"Clay!" Riley calls for her cousin, moving closer to him but an office puts his hand out, "Don't fucking touch me, asshole!"

"Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford one, one will be appointed to you by the court." Sheriff Diaz cuffs him.

"He's got a lawyer, you dumb fuck!"

"Riley." Zach hisses as Alex pulls the girl back into his chest so that she wouldn't get arrested along with Clay.

The small group of friends look around at each other as eyes are then and Clay being led out of the gym by police.

"The sheriff was convinced he had his man. But you weren't so sure."

"No."

˗ˏˋ 𖤐 ˎˊ˗

"𝘾𝙇𝘼𝙔'𝙎 𝘼𝙍𝙍𝙀𝙎𝙏 and the assembly where it happened, it was about to change everything."

"Everybody is staring at me." Tyler walks down the hallway with Riley, McKenzie and Cyrus along with the group of guys that he hung around with.

"Fuck, yeah, they are. You're a rock star." Cyrus tells him, arm lazily thrown around Riley's shoulder.

"Tyler." Charlie calls out to the boy, sending a soft smile at Riley.

"What do you want?" Cyrus asked him.

"I just, uh — can I talk to Tyler alone for a minute?" Charlie asked, keeping his eyes on Tyler.

"No."

"Please?"

"I need to tell him something."

"Hey, it's cool, you guys." Tyler tells them, "But, uh, Riley stays."

"Yeah, okay." Charlie nodded.

"What is it?"

"Can we talk?" Charlie asked him. "Somewhere more private?"

"No. We can talk here." Tyler tells him.

"Okay." Charlie nodded, glancing at Riley as he thought about his next words, "Monty. I heard Monty say it, what he did to you. I mean, like, he admitted it to me and Bryce. Like, all of it."

"Yeah?"

"And I'm . . . sorry that happened to you." Charlie tells him, "I'm sorry. And I think Monty should pay for it, and I'll talk to the police if you want me to."

"Why would you do this?" Asked Tyler, "I mean, you don't even like me."

"How can I not like you? I mean, I barely know you." He smiled.

"Yeah, but you've . . . heard stuff."

"Yeah. You've heard stuff about me, right? Like I'm an asshole jock or whatever."

"I mean, I guess so, yeah."

"So?"

"Tyler." Riley gains the boys attention as she smiles softly at him, "Charlie's a good guy. You should trust him. Trust me. I have to get to the police station to be there for Clay. Are you gonna be okay?"

"Yeah, I'll be fine."

"Okay."

"A — Actually, can I go with you?"

˗ˏˋ 𖤐 ˎˊ˗

"𝙏𝙃𝘼𝙏'𝙎 𝙒𝙃𝙔 I'm here." Clay says after explaining to Tony, Riley and Scott what he was doing at the homecoming game. "What's your excuse? You hate football."

"Yes, but Caleb loves football." Tony tells him with a smug smile on his face.

"I played in high school." Caleb spoke up from the other side of Tony, "But I'm also here cause Riley and I have a bet going on who is going to win."

"Please don't ask him—,"

"What position?" Clay asked.

"Oh, God."

"Sorry."

Scott laughed, throwing his arm around Riley's shoulder, intertwining their fingers together as she reaches up to grab his hand that's around her shoulders.

"I tell him one story, and now her calls me "Glory days"." They all laugh.

"Hey, I thought Ani wasn't allowed to come to the game?" Tony asked, pointing down to girl who was walking down below them, arms crossed over her chest as she walked off.

"I'll be right back."

"Okay."

"Kickoff's in five!" Caleb called after him.

"So, Scott thinking about getting back into the football game?" Tony asked the baseball player who had once been on their team before he had graduated.

Scott scoffed, "Oh, no. Baseball is the only sport that I'm focusing on right now. I didn't get a scholarship because of my grades."

"Tell me about it." Riley mumbled but was still loud enough for her boyfriend to pick it up, "Ow! Scott!"

"I won't lie to you, at that moment, in his eyes I saw . . . anger. Hatred. But not for me. For Bryce."

˗ˏˋ 𖤐 ˎˊ˗

"𝙊𝙑𝙀𝙍 𝙏𝙃𝙀 first half, the anger and the hatred only burned hotter. By halftime, he was ready to go after Bryce. He was about to get his chance."

"Did you know she was gonna do this?" Tony asked in shock as they notice Ani on the field with a can of pain in her hand.

"No idea."

"What. The. Hell?" Riley's eyes grow wide as the group of Jessica's survivors ran onto the field, all of the girls beginning to take their shirts off with red painted handprints splattered across their bodies. "I don't care if this is for and against rapist, I see you looking at anyone and I'll cut it off."

Scott holds his hands up, "I only have eyes for you, pretty girl."

"You better."

"What's even going on?"

"Jocks are bullies!"

"Well, she's got their attention now."

"Holy shit."

"It seems unwise." Caleb says, "Seems like it's gonna go wrong."

"They've officially lost their minds." Riley shakes her head, "Come on."

"What? Riley!"

"I'm not sticking around for any of this!"

"Ho, ho! Rape culture has got to go! Hey, hey, ho, ho!"

"This school has officially lost it." Scott shakes his head, following after his girlfriend.

˗ˏˋ 𖤐 ˎˊ˗

"𝗜'𝗠 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗𝗬." Tyler nodded as he stands in the police station with Riley, Charlie, Jessica and Justin, "I want to do this."

"Tyler, what you're doing is so brave." Jessica tells him, putting a hand on his arm, "We'll be right here waiting for you. You're not alone in this."

Tyler looks over at Justin and Riley, the Foley boy sending him a small smile as he nodded his head, "Okay."

Riley pulls her phone out of her back pocket, smiling softly at the missed text message from Scott, but it quickly disappeared as she read the text message above it from Alex, "Holy shit."

"What? Riley, what is it?" Justin asked the blonde in concern, the remaining three teens turning to her in worry.

She turns around, eyes wide as she shows them her phone screen, "Why the fuck is Alex telling me that Zach is here? Confessing to Bryce's murder?"

˗ˏˋ 𖤐 ˎˊ˗

"𝙎𝙊, 𝙒𝙀'𝙑𝙀 got a dozen kids who could've done it."

"It's all about Homecoming night. Everyone was there. Everyone had their reasons for wanting to kill Bryce. At the end of the night, one of the would've followed through."