The Breaking Point
The walls I had carefully built around myself were starting to crack. No matter how much I tried to act normal, the weight of what Olivia and Jake had done hung over me like a shadow, creeping into every corner of my life. I couldn't eat without feeling nauseous. I couldn't sleep without nightmares dragging me back to that awful night. And Daniel… he was slipping further away with every lie I told.
I wanted to tell him. I wanted to scream the truth. But what if he couldn't handle it? What if he blamed me? Or worse—what if he didn't believe me?
I had lost control of my own life once—I wasn't about to let that happen again.
By the end of the school day, I felt like I was drowning. The whispers around me seemed louder, more pointed. Were they about me? Did people know? Or was it all in my head? Either way, I couldn't stay in that building any longer.
I skipped my last class and slipped out through the back exit, letting the cold air bite at my skin as I walked aimlessly. My feet led me to the only place I thought I might find peace—the small park on the edge of town. It was quiet there, just the rustle of wind through the trees and the distant hum of cars passing by.
I sat down on a weathered bench, pulling my knees to my chest. My heart pounded in my ears as memories of that night clawed their way to the surface. I tried to push them back, but I was so tired. Tired of pretending. Tired of feeling helpless.
A tear slipped down my cheek, then another, until the dam broke and silent sobs shook my entire body. I had held everything inside for so long, but here—alone—I didn't have to be strong.
"Sarah?"
I froze.
The sound of his voice sent a fresh wave of panic through me. I wiped at my tears, but it was no use—Daniel had already seen them.
He stood a few feet away, his face full of worry. "What's going on?" he asked softly, stepping closer. "You skipped class. And now you're out here, crying by yourself? Talk to me."
I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. My throat felt tight, strangled by all the words I had buried inside.
He sighed and sat down beside me, his warmth radiating against the cold. "I've been patient, Sarah. I've given you space. But something's wrong. I know it. And I can't just sit back and watch you hurt yourself like this."
His kindness broke something in me. Before I could stop myself, the words came tumbling out.
"I didn't want this to happen," I whispered, my voice shaking. "I never— I didn't ask for it."
Daniel's brows furrowed in confusion. "Ask for what?"
I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to hold myself together. "That night… at Olivia's party. Something happened."
His whole body stiffened beside me. "What do you mean?"
I took a shuddering breath. "I… I was drugged, Daniel. Someone—" My voice cracked. "Someone hurt me."
For a moment, the world seemed to stop. The wind faded. My heart thundered in my ears as I waited for his reaction.
When he finally spoke, his voice was low, trembling with restrained anger. "Who?"
I hesitated, fear crawling up my throat. "I… I don't have proof," I admitted, the familiar doubt gnawing at me. "But… I heard them talking. I think it was Olivia. And Jake."
The silence that followed was unbearable. I risked a glance at him, and the look on his face shattered me. Pain. Anger. And something else—something I couldn't quite name.
"You think they—?" He stopped, as if the words were too disgusting to speak. His fists clenched at his sides. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
"I was scared," I whispered. "I thought… I thought you wouldn't want me anymore."
At that, his expression softened, and without another word, he pulled me into his arms. I broke down completely then, crying into his chest as he held me tightly, as if he could somehow protect me from everything that had already happened.
"I'm here," he murmured against my hair. "I'm not going anywhere, Sarah. And I swear to you—they won't get away with this."
For the first time in weeks, I didn't feel alone.
But deep down, I knew this was only the beginning.
Because Olivia and Jake had taken everything from me.
And I wasn't going to let them win.