Andy's POV
I had finally left my room and now I was leaning against the railing guarding the balcony I had come to love as the cool evening breeze brushed against my skin.
I could almost forget for a moment as everything was drenched in a gentle, warm glow from the setting sun.
I tried to find a moment of peace so, I rested my head against the wall and closed my eyes. I've felt different types of emotions over the past few days, from fear and rage to confusion.
Jake, Marissa… No matter how anyone reassured me, I couldn’t shake away the fear that was rooted in my chest. I couldn’t sleep without seeing Jake’s face. I could not stop feeling the weight of his hands on my body, the sound of his voice in my ears, and that stupid smug grin of his as if nothing mattered and he would always win.
I sighed, running my hand through my hair. How do I move past this? I wasn’t even sure how to. It felt too fresh, too real.
Part of me wondered if I would ever be able to forget. My chest tightened once more, and I tried to ignore the thoughts running through my mind by concentrating on the sounds of the distant waves crashing against the shore.
The sound of my phone ringing jerked me out of my thoughts. My brother. I frowned as my heart skipped a beat in surprise and part fear.
He literally called some weeks ago. It scared me. He never called this quickly after the last.
“Hey,” I said as I picked up, trying to keep my voice steady.
“Is everything okay with you?” I asked curiously.
“Hey Andy.” His voice came in through the line, casual but slightly softer than usual.
“Of course, everything is fine. I was less busy so I decided to call and check in on you. How are you?” He asked.
“Oh, okay.” I blinked taken aback. “I’m… fine,” I lied as I looked own at my feet, knowing fully well I didn’t sound convincing.
“Really?” He asked, his voice sounding sharper now. “Because you don’t sound like you’re okay.”
I bit my lips, hating how easily he could tell if I was okay or not, He could always tell when I was hiding something.
I exhaled slowly.
“It’s nothing, really. I’m just… tired, that’s all. Nothing else,” I replied.
He paused for a considerable amount of time, and I took a big breath, readying myself for anything he could say next. His frowning was practically audible to me.
“Andy, I know you. You’re not just tired. Something is definitely going on,” he finally said.
I took a deep breath and felt my stomach coil up. I didn't want to talk to anyone about my issues, especially not him and if I did want to, it shouldn't be on the phone. How could I even start to tell him without breaking down? It would break him.
“I’m fine, nothing’s going on,” I lied again, the words sounding empty even to me.
He sighed, and I could hear the disappointment in his voice.
“Fine. You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to,” he said with a soft tone and for a second, I felt guilty.
“I don't know what's going on but sometimes, when everything is not going well or when everything feels like it’s falling apart, you have to make your choices. You can’t keep running from it. I don't know if that will help but I really hope it does.” he said.
I closed my eyes, taking in his words as I let out a sigh. If only he knew how much.
“Thank you.” I said.
“Always, you know that” he replied.
“Ugh” he groaned.
“I’ve got to go, talk to you later,” he said and almost immediately the line went off.
I let out another sigh as I mused over his advice.
Make a choice. You can’t keep running. His words rang over and over in my head.
That’s what I had been doing, was it not? Running. Running from Jake. Running from everything that reminded me of how things had gone wrong.
I had come here to take my mind off my breakup with Peter and the issue with Rosalie. But now, even they were here. I had come to unwind but instead I was assaulted and almost raped by Jake and if Jason hadn’t come when he did, Jake would have gotten his way.
I had thought leaving school would help. But it hadn’t. If anything, it had made things worse. And now, with everything that had happened with Jake and Marissa bailing him out, it felt like my life was in danger and I still have the trauma to deal with.
I took a deep breath, my mind suddenly clear. I knew what I needed to do.
I needed to go back. I needed to go home. I had to go home. Back to school. Back to my life. I couldn’t keep hiding away like this, pretending everything would just fix itself.
I needed to take control of my life again, and as terrifying as it was, I knew that going back was the only way to do that.
My stomach starting growling. I hadn’t eaten all day, I was too wrapped up in my head to bother with food. Pushing myself off the wall, I made my way downstairs to meet Polina.
As I made my way down the stairs, the front door opened and Bree walked in with Jason following closely behind her. I hesitated, my stomach twisting slightly, I still had mixed feelings and wasn’t comfortable around Jason and I never knew how to act around him.
His eyes found mine as soon as I got down the stairs, and I saw the concern in his eyes. He walked over to me, keeping a safe distance.
“Andrea” he said softly. My body tingled from the way my name rolled off his tongue.
“I’m glad you finally came out of your room.” he said.
I threw on a smile, trying my best to be polite. “Yeah, I just needed to get some air” I replied.
He nodded before he spoke. “I just want you to know that you do not have to worry about anything. I’ll personally make sure Jake doesn’t come near you again. I’ll handle everything,” he said, sounding very angry and I assumed it was because he saw me as a daughter too. Or maybe that's what I wanted to believe.
I bit the inside of my cheek as I gave him a curt nod.
“Thank you,” I said, the words feeling heavy as I forced them out.
He nodded and looked over at Bree who had been watching us slightly. I could see that their relationship was finally getting better.
After a moment, Jason turned to head upstairs, leaving Bree and me alone in the living room.
Once he was out of earshot and I was sure he couldn’t hear us, I turned to Bree.
“Bree, I… I need to talk to you.” I said.