That same day, Zeke went to his parents with the support of Aiden, Lani and I to come forward with the abuse and torment he had endured. Zeke sat his parents down on the love seat while the three of us sat on the big leather couch.
Revealing everything that ever happened to him. The suffering after his first group of friend's car crash then to the party and Aiden. He told them about Rocky. All the abuse that Charlie did to him and the sick and twisted lie that he fed Zeke for two years.
The weight of holding it all was being lifted off of Zeke's shoulders. The burden of keeping his depression and dark thoughts to himself were finally coming to light. No more hiding from his family. Zeke knew he could make it and that his life had worth. Claudia and James Jensen held onto their son like their life depended on it.
There were probably many things I would never know that Zeke endured, but for him to confess the worst of it was most important. Zeke revealed his secret about the journal he writes in. Writing entries to Aiden like he was sending letters. Zeke had documented most of the events that happened between him and Charlie which would become important evidence.
Zeke's parents cried out in sorrow for being so blind to what their son went through. Missing the signs he was suffering and dealing with trauma. Claudia apologized to me for her first opinion on me again and thanked me for never giving up on Zeke. Jamie also thanked me for seeing that I had come in at the right moment in his life. For all they know, if I hadn't been so pushy towards Zeke, they'd probably end up burying their son.
Zeke went to fetch the journal for his parents to read. Then for the rest of us to examine. Specifically for Aiden as they were addressed to him. Zeke would usually write when things were really bad. The last entry was a poem he wrote for Aiden. Ready to let go of what happened and that his 'death' wasn't his fault. Meaning that he hadn't felt that low in a really long time. He was able to see it on his own terms. Earlier than I expected.
The shaggy haired boy was transparent and open for the first time towards his family. Learned to trust again and found hope in himself to pull forward. Zeke Jensen is one of the strongest people I knew. He's been through hell and back, and still offers kindness. Still willing to trust again even after he'd been destroyed in so many ways.
Aiden used Lani's shoulder to cry on as he read the letters addressed to him. Even after everything his brother put him through, Zeke never thought badly about him. Zeke had adored Aiden as much as he did when they were kids. That ginger haired boy's heart broke that it was truly his best friend that suffered. Heart broken by his one and only brother too. Aiden was going to do the right thing now and stand against Charlie. In the name tor Zeke and the hell Charlie caused. Eventually, after Zeke and his parents gathered enough composure.. Planning to take Charlie Love down at last. And the school for doing a poor job for looking after its students.
Zeke's journey coming forward about his abuse was a rocky one. The police when notified didn't take the severity of the situation seriously. It was until the school was informed and looked through back on all the old security camera footage that they were able to find concrete evidence. Matching the dates written down in Zeke's journal. Exposing the truth about the school's all star athlete. Charlie Love was an abusive monster.
Of course, with Charlie having an upper hand coming from a rich family and a good family reputation. Charlie had privilege to use to his advantage. Zeke faced the hardships that came along with a victim coming forward. Especially when you were already on the bottom of society's food chain.
Of course, Zeke never faced it alone. Every day, Lani and I sat by Zeke. Aiden couldn't because he went to a different school, but continued to stand by his side instead of his brother's. Aiden had completely disowned Charlie. Which obviously hurt Charlie as he loved his sibling.
To Aiden, Charlie was as good as dead. His jealousy for Zeke getting closer to his brother and his best friend Rocky, cost him both people he loved to leave. It was revealed Charlie became homophobic and cruel towards Rocky too. After discovering Zeke and him were in love. Another reason for Rocky moving away. Charlie lost the two things that truly mattered most to him. He had lost Rocky a long time ago, and now lost his little brother.
As Zeke came forward, others did as well. Whether it be by the hands of Charlie himself, or just survivors of any abuse. Zeke gathered a following of support. Multiple people began sitting with the three of us at lunch, forming a close support network. Many others were suffering severe bullying like Zeke and were too afraid to speak up. All because of Zeke's bravery, many others had the strength to do the same.
Even Zeke's old friends Wallace and Alexa came forward, apologizing for abandoning Zeke. They were shitty friends after the death of Mandy and Taylor Locke, but Zeke still found it within himself to forgive them. Afterall, they helped give Zeke great childhood memories. Zeke would never be friends with them again, but was more than willing to be civil. To see the better people they had become.
The police eventually cooperated and helped take Charlie down. Not to the fullest extent that Zeke deserved but, there was a justice served. Charlie was given a few months of probation, got expelled and lost any chance of a career as a football player. It also didn't take long for word of the ongoing of the highschool to hit the news, even making it to TV, going viral online. Spreading like wildfires. The principal was also fired for doing a poor job of investigating the case I brought up. Many assemblies and awareness about abuse, bullying and much more were held at the school. An Alliance and Survivors group was created at school too. As well as the school board district hiring a far more educated Principal, who cared deeply for her students. Things were changing for the better at school. We made a movement.
Then it came to Zeke and I addressed his feelings. Now I understood why the time I came over and I attempted to kiss him again left Zeke upset. He had feelings for me. I think I had feelings for him myself, but wasn't intune with them yet. I also knew he still had feelings for Rocky as he was his first love. That didn't bother me at all. Zeke wouldn't cheat on the person he loves.
Zeke and I agreed to try something slow. It's been about 4 months now. The weather has gotten warmer, as it falls into spring. The next year, we would be seniors. We got together during the court and investigation. Taking things slow with many baby steps. As I've needed to work on myself after my own past. Zeke is my first romantic relationship after being assaulted and so of course I had fears. I knew he would never hurt me in that way, but my fears couldn't be avoided altogether.
Zeke was also afraid. So taking our time and patience was needed. We'd enjoy every step. Both the good and bad. The two of us in a short amount of time had seen each other at our worst. If we can do it together as friends, sure as hell we'll make it as lovers. Love doesn't come during the good. It'll surface during your mess, and that's exactly what happened.
This love that continues to blossom will continue to grow. Our souls will continue to strengthen. As long as you believe in yourself. First. Then find someone you can share your fight with. That's when your life will start to get better. Fighting and never giving up on someone as they pick themselves up. Through the hell and back we went through just to get here, I'd do it again. If it meant finding true love in my bestfriend.
Zeke and I were walking down a bridge at our local water reservoir. Just an innocent date and stroll. The air was a bit nippy still, but with the warm sun gazing down on us, it wasn't bad at all. Actually, it was perfect. It was peaceful, we had a beautiful view and I was here with Zeke Jensen. My best friend and boyfriend.
Zeke has his arm wrapped around my shoulder. Holding me close as we shared a comfortable silence as we stared at the lake as it began to unfreeze. "Pattie, I don't think you truly know how much you've helped change my life. You didn't do it all because I had to do that for myself but, God damn you've pushed. I'll never regret letting that pushy girl into my life. Damn, you've inspired me so much, I wanted you to be the first to know." Zeke whispered to me as he kept me close to his side.
"Know what? And you wouldn't have escaped this leech if you tried." I ask while teasing him. Earning a smile from him.
"Thank fucking god for that too. I'd never get enough of you. I wanted to start writing my own book. Create stories and share them with the world. I'm going to publish the entries in the journal first! It's been accepted! You motivated me enough to see where my potential is at." Zeke revealed.
I squealed and pulled him close. Kissing him out of excitement and happiness for him. "I am so proud of you Zeke! I'm glad that I was there to help you see that. I hope you'll write happy stories because you've already endured enough of a heartbreaking one yourself. Either way, I'll be by your side. Even when college rolls around." I noted.
"You'd be correct dear. You're stuck with me as much as I'm stuck with you. I'm going to do something for me for once and that's to go to write stories. Firstly, I'm going to share my story. I hope to have that journey with you by my side." Zeke confessed.
"When grade twelve ends, you better go to school for writing. 'Cause I'm going to be heading to school to become a social worker so I can help others in need. Long distance will be nothing for us. We can survive anything, together." I added.
"I wouldn't have it any other way." Zeke kissed my hand and smiled at me.
I wouldn't have it any other way either.