Chapter 1
IMPORTANT: This story contains depictions of sexual assault and the effects that come with it.
KIERA
Kiera smiled at her phone as she read a message from Corie. She stepped out of her car and walked towards the school entrance. Corie was excited as today was her relationship’s six-month anniversary. Even though Kiera reminded her that an anniversary is yearly she was still in the honeymoon stage of bliss.
When she got to her first class she quickly found her seat at the window. Other students were in the class idling since the teacher hadn’t gotten there yet. Soon Kiera felt a tap on her shoulder. She looked around and found Corie standing there.
“I told you to wait for me and we’d walk to class together,” Corie remarked. She pulled the chair beside her closer to Kiera and sat down. “I wanted to tell you something. Without people around.”
“Oh, I put my phone up.” Kiera replied. “Why can’t you tell me with people around?”
“Because it’s private.” Corie rolled her eyes then smiled at her friend. Before she could say another word the teacher entered the class. “I’ll tell you after.” Corie mouthed to her.
The class was long and dreary. It was English after all. Kiera found herself staring out the window as it was the only way to keep her eyelids from falling. This was probably a bad idea since the teacher hated when she did this. As usual, he called her out in his nasal voice. “Kiera Jones. Why do I have to ask you to pay attention every class?”
Probably because his class was boring. Kiera knew if she said that it would make everything multiple times worse for her. So she didn’t reply.
“Please pay attention. If you don’t I’m going to have to send you to the office.” He said sternly. As he turned his back Kiera sighed. She glanced at Corie who subtly put up a finger at the teacher. Kiera softly chuckled and shook her head at the girl.
After class Corie grabbed Kiera’s hand and dragged her to the girls’ bathroom. She checked first to ensure no one was in the stalls and possibly spread anything she said.
“Corie, what is this about?” Kiera started at her with a straight face.
“Okay, you know today is six months for me and Daniel?” Corie began. “And I think I’m ready. To do it.”
Kiera raised an eyebrow and folded her arms. “To do what?”
Corie rolled her eyes. “Don’t give me that look. You’re already thinking about telling me not to. I can feel it.” She pouted at her friend.
“Yes, and I'm right. Corie, you can’t have sex with him.” Kiera said firmly. “You could get pregnant.” Kiera quickly added the latter part.
Corie groaned. She threw her hands up in the air and turned away. She walked up to the mirror and placed her weight on the counter. “Kiera, there’s something called birth control, you know. And I’m ready now. I think I...love him. And I know you don’t understand it yet, but you’ll know what it’s like when you get a boyfriend.”
Kiera sighed, ignoring that last remark, and walked up to her friend. She looked at her face as she continued pouting. “Corie I just don’t think this is a good idea, but you seem very sure of it.” she began. “And as your friend who wants to see you happy, I guess I’ll support you.”
Corie’s face morphed into a huge smile and she pulled Kiera into a bear hug. “Thank you for understanding.” She pulled away and kissed Kiera on the cheek. “You’re my best friend for a reason.”
Kiera smiled softly and Corie pulled her into another hug. “And I need you to go shopping with me after school,” Corie said. “I need new underwear if I’m gonna-”
“Okay, I don’t need to hear anything else,” Kiera replied as they released each other.
***
Kiera munched on a grilled cheese sandwich and scrolled on her phone as she tried to ignore the two teenagers making out in front of her. They drew attention, too, as other students glanced at them occasionally. There were various looks of surprise, disgust and longing.
Kiera cleared her throat. Corie and Daniel pulled away and innocently looked at her. “We’re at lunch, remember?”
Corie nodded as her cheeks coated red. “We didn’t get to see each other over the weekend. I missed him.”
Daniel smiled at his girlfriend. “I missed you too,” and planted a kiss on the side of her face. He then redirected his gaze at Kiera. “Maybe you should get a boyfriend. My cousin-”
“Whoa.” Kiera held her palm up. “No. We talked about this already.”
“Come on Kiera, he’s right,” Corie replied causing Kiera to cringe. “Having a boyfriend feels so good. Being in love and all.” Kiera glanced at Daniel whose face changed expression and back at the mention of the word love. She didn’t have time to say anything about it as Corie continued “Besides, you’re pretty. Guys have asked you out before.”
“So? That doesn’t mean I like them.” Kiera rebutted. “Can we not talk about this? And you forgot your water again.” she pointed at the table.
“Ugh. I’m coming.” Corie stood up and made her way to the food area.
Kiera resumed eating her sandwich and scrolled on her phone. “She’s right you know,” Daniel said.
“Right about what?”
“You’re pretty,” he said then muttered the next part. “And sexy too. I’ve seen guys look at you.”
Kiera’s eyebrows furrowed as she looked up at him. “Please don’t say that again.” She chuckled nervously. “It’s really weird.”
Daniel held up his hands in surrender. “You’re right. Boundaries, sorry.”
Kiera shook her head and smiled at the guy. Daniel loved to throw compliments out there so she didn’t make it into that big of a deal. Still, it was nice to see him sweat a little. “Yeah, boundaries,” she playfully mocked him.
Before Daniel replied Corie returned with her water. “That lady is so annoying. She thinks I came back for extra. Why would I come back for extra water of all things?” Corie complained. “By the way,” she looked at Kiera. “What did your dad say about the party?”
“He said I could go but, I have to be home by 10.”
“Seriously?” Corie exclaimed. “That’s like when it starts getting good.”
Kiera shrugged. It didn’t matter to her much as she only went to these parties for Corie. Outside of her, she’d never be seen at one.
“Kiera the good part starts when we get there, so you won’t be missing much,” Daniel stated and earned himself a slap on the wrist from Corie.
Kiera chuckled as the two bickered. Corie quickly forgot about it though when Daniel placed his arm around her and rubbed her shoulder. Kiera looked away as they would probably kiss again.
***
The house was packed as usual. Teenagers were everywhere and Kiera made sure to not brush against their sweaty bodies. She found a chair in the corner and sat down as Corie was nowhere to be seen. She sent her a text but there was still no reply.
Soon, Daniel walked up to her. “Hey, Kiera,” he sat down on the arm of the chair.
“Hey, have you seen Corie?” Kiera asked him. “She texted me earlier but now I can’t find her. I need her to drive me home.”
“I’m not sure where she is either but I can drive you,” he raised a brow at the girl.
“Thanks, my dad would never let me leave the house again if I showed up late.”
Daniel chuckled. “I don’t know how you do it. I’m glad my mom likes it when I have fun.”
Kiera playfully rolled her eyes at him.
“I have to get my phone. It’s upstairs.” When Kiera didn’t stand behind him he said. “You going to stay down here in all this noise or come up where it’s quiet?”
“Right, upstairs sounds better.”
The two got up and went upstairs. As Daniel stated, it was pretty quiet up there. They entered the room and he walked to the wall where a phone and a charger were placed. Kiera lingered by the door until Daniel walked over. Instead of leaving he slowly closed the door behind her.
Kiera raised a brow. “What are you doing?”
“I have to tell you something,” he quickly said.
Kiera narrowed her eyes at him, “Okay...go ahead.”
"You know that I like you, right?"
Kiera's eyes widened. "Okay, I'm leaving," she said and made a beeline for the door.
Daniel blocked it with his body and stared her down, "You have to promise you won't say anything to Corie."
"No! Get out of my way," Kiera raised her voice.
Before she could speak he grabbed her and began kissing her lips. She tried to turn her head away but that didn’t stop him from trying to shove his tongue into her mouth. “No, Daniel. Stop. What are you doing?” Kiera replied as she tried to keep her mouth closed. Her hands were pinned by her side with his.
She still hadn’t reached a state of panic until she felt his hand moving up her thigh. At this point one of her hands was free so she grabbed him in an attempt to stop it from going further. Her strength was utterly useless against his. Daniel’s hand kept moving further until he pushed up her dress. Kiera felt sick as his heavy breathing touched her neck.
She had completely forgotten the ability to talk and all her mind could focus on was his hand venturing to places she never wanted it to go.
“Just relax,” Daniel whispered. “I won’t hurt you. I’ve just really wanted you for a long while now.”
Kiera’s heart felt like it was about to explode in her chest. Even if it wasn’t working she still kept trying to pull his hand away. Her dress had ridden up, completely exposing her underwear. Daniel caressed her belly as he said “God, you’re so soft.” His hand reached around and under her underwear.
“No, please,” Kiera begged as her voice returned.
When he didn’t reply her eyes filled with tears. She tried to focus on anything to take her mind off what his hand was doing. “You feel good, don’t you? Hmm?” Daniel muttered against her neck. He pressed and rubbed his body closer to hers. His disgusting moans were all that filled her ear.
Kiera silently prayed he would stop. The sound of his belt buckle immediately followed. “No, please stop...I won't say anything...” Kiera kept repeating. Without warning he pushed her to the ground and got on top of her. “Ah,” Kiera cried out as her back hurt.
She felt the frantic tugging and pulling on her underwear. Her legs tensed as she tried to push him off to no avail. He pried her legs apart and situated himself between them.
The first thrust he made felt like a knife was being driven inside her. Kiera hissed in pain as he went on. “Please...stop,” her voice cracked as she begged him one last time. When he didn’t she felt the fight go out in her. Soon the pain subsided, her hands dropped to her sides and her eyes focused on the ceiling. She couldn’t bare to look at him anymore.
It went on until there was a sudden knock at the door followed by the voice of some guy. “Daniel, you in there man?” He said. “Ray said he saw you go in there. We’re leaving now.” The dude chuckled and then added. “Pack it up with whoever you’re fucking.”
“Alright, yeah!” Daniel called to him.
He then looked back at Kiera. “I have to go now.” He said breathlessly.
He stood up and fixed his pants before leaving. Kiera was still frozen on the floor. It took a while before she remembered that she had to move. Without looking, she pulled her underwear up and pulled her dress down. Soon after the buzzing of a phone made her realize she had dropped it. She picked it up and checked the message. It was Corie wondering where she was.
Kiera quickly used her hands to wipe her face and left the room. She ignored everyone at the party even though a couple of people tried to talk to her. Instead, she tried to get outside as quickly as possible. There she spotted Corie who was talking with none other than Daniel.
Kiera quickly turned around when she heard Corie call out to her. Corie jogged over to Kiera and held her hand to stop her from leaving. Kiera recoiled at the sudden contact.
“You okay?” Corie chuckled. “Why’d you jump back like that?”
“Nothing. It’s 10 I have to go. Plus I’m really tired.” She said without looking at her friend.
“What? No.” Corie whined. “Can’t you just stay for a little while? We’re going skinny dipping.” she smiled.
The thought of that made Kiera’s stomach churn though she tried not to show it. “Corie I really can’t.”
Corie pouted. “Fine. You can drive my car. I’ll go with Daniel.” She handed the key to Kiera who nodded once. “I’ll see you on Monday!” Corie pulled Kiera into a hug. Unfortunately squeezing the part of her back that got hurt.
Kiera gritted her teeth until the girl stopped hugging her and left with the rest of them.
