Elody’s POV

“Have you told Brian?” Julliet asks.

“I can’t, Jul. He already hates Liam enough.” I respond.

“He deserves to know. You guys are practically dating, now.”

“We aren’t dating.”

“Yet.”

“Promise me you won’t tell anyone.”

“I promise. I won’t tell a soul, but promise me you will tell Brian whenever you see him again.”

“Okay. Okay. I promise.”

I feel like some weight has been lifted off of my shoulders, but I can’t help feeling terrible, still. Ever since I found out, I’ve been beating myself up over it. I think Brian was slightly suspicious, when I refused to drink any of the Jack he bought, but I couldn’t bring myself to tell him. I’m starting to show, slightly, so I’m glad the guys aren’t here to tell.

“I can’t believe you’ve kept it a secret for as long as you have.”

“It was really difficult to, but I was devastated.”

“I can imagine. You know I’m here for you no matter what, honey.” She grabs my hand, and squeezes it.

“I know. Thank you so much for understanding.”

“You’re going to be a great mother, El. You’re already such a cute little pregnant lady!” She squeals, and I laugh. She reaches over, and puts a hand on my slight baby bump.

“Brian’s going to be so excited; when he finds out he’s going to be a father!” I haven’t told her about Liam raping me, and I don’t want to, so I’ll just let her believe that it’s Brian’s.

“Oh, it might just send him into shock.” She laughs, not realizing my sarcasm.

--

After leaving the house later, to get some groceries, I feel relieved that Juliet forgot all about my birthday today. Normally, I would be upset that no one remembered, not even Brian, even though, I know I told him. Today, though, I could care less, I don’t like all of this attention right now.

I decide that I should probably pick up healthy food, and maybe some vitamins, since it’s not just me that I’m feeding anymore. I grab all of the things that I need, and check out. I leave the grocery store, and head back toward the house. As I walk into the house, groceries in hand, I notice how dark it is. I set the groceries down, and run my hand along the wall, to find the light switch. Once I find it, I flick it on.

“SURPRISE!” I hear many voices yell, from behind me.I jump, and turn around to find Juliet, Matt, Zacky, Brian, Jimmy, and Johnny, all standing in the living room. So much for everyone forgetting about my birthday…

“I’m sorry we scared you.” Juliet says. “I called the guys last week, and we made plans to surprise you. Jimmy brought some more Jack, even though I told him we still had a full bottle.” She gives me a weird look, that I’m glad the guys can’t see.

“Oh. I thought you’d forgotten.” I fake a smile. I suddenly feel like I’m going to be sick. “Thank you guys so much! I’ll just put these groceries away, and we can celebrate.”

“I’ll help you put the groceries away.” Juliet says.

“I can help her.” Brian steps in.

“No, no. I invited you here, please sit, and make yourself comfortable. We will be right back.” Juliet shoos him back toward the couch, and we grab the groceries, to take to the kitchen. “You have to tell him.” She says, as soon as we get in the kitchen.

“You know, when you made me promise to tell him the next time I saw him, I never imagined that would be tonight.” I give her a dirty look.

“I know. I’m sorry. I couldn’t tell you about your surprise party, though, it would ruin the surprise.”

“I forgive you, but you have to give me some time to think of how I’m going to break the news.”

“Okay, but you should still tell him tonight.”

“Fine.” We finish putting the groceries away, and go back into the living room.

“Took you guys long enough!” Jimmy says. “We should go grab some grub and celebrate!”

“We could go to that amazing seafood place you love so much.” Brian suggests. The thought of seafood right now, makes me want to puke.

“Umm… that sounds great.” I suddenly realize that I should probably change into something less revealing, and loose-fitting. “I’m going to get changed, before we do anything.” I walk upstairs to my bedroom. I’m thankful that I was still wearing my jacket, and no one noticed my stomach. I pick out something looser, and change into it. I touch up my makeup in the bathroom, and fix my hair, before heading back downstairs.

“You look amazing.” Brian says, coming over and putting his arm around me.

“I’m really excited for this seafood.” Matt says. “Brian was telling us all about it. It sounds delicious.” My stomach turns, again, and I can’t help but gag. I bring my hand up, to cover my mouth.

“Are you alright?” Brian pulls away to look at me. Everyone is looking at me, now. Juliet gives me a look, and I know she wants me to tell them all right here, right now.

“I need to talk to you.” I say to Brian. I grab his hand, and lead him upstairs, to my bedroom.

“What’s going on?” He asks, clearly concerned.

“I need to show you something, first off.” I go over to my mattress, and pull out the flash drive. After receiving it, that day, I haven’t gotten anything else. I grab my lap top, and turn it on, setting it on the bed. I plug the flash drive into it, and play the video, for Brian to see. His eyes are locked to the screen, the whole time, until the video finishes.

“Where did you get this?” He asks.

“I received it in the mail the night we went on our first date.”

“Before or after our date?”

“Before. Why?”

“And you didn’t tell me?”

“I couldn’t, Bri. I wanted to, I was going to, but I couldn’t bring myself to tell you.”

“This is the news you supposedly forgot about?”

“I was going to tell you, Brian.”

“I can’t believe anything you say right now!”

“W-what?” I stutter out.

“I never pictured you doing something like that.” He gestures to the computer. “It kind of changes things, now doesn’t it? It’s not just Liam you were involved with.”

“Brian…” I reach out, to touch his arm.

“Don’t.” He pulls away. “I hope you have a wonderful birthday, Elody. I’m not going to be celebrating it with you, though.” He walks away, and walks downstairs. Moments later, I hear the front door slam. I put the computer away, and walk back downstairs.

“Is everything alright?” Juliet asks, as I appear in the living room.

“I…” I start to speak, but I can’t even think of what to say. I haven’t told her about the video, and I know it’s going to be hard to explain. I crumple to the ground, and start crying.

“Oh, honey.” She walks over to me, and wraps her arms around me, in a hug. “I’m so sorry.”

“Is there something going on here that we should know about?” Matt asks. Juliet looks up, and starts to speak, but looks back at me.

“It’s okay. I’ll tell them.” I say. I wipe the tears away, and stand up. I walk over to the couch, and sit down next to Jimmy.

“Maybe we should all just sit down, while she says what she has to say.” Juliet suggests, and everyone else gathers around.

“There’s things that I’ve been keeping secret from all of you, even you.” I look over to Juliet.

“For starters… Jul, I was raped by my boss, Liam, about four months ago. The guys were doing business with him, at the time, and they saved me, after Liam tried to rape me again. I went to the hospital, because he made me hit my head and black out. I told the guys everything, I really didn’t have a choice, they basically could tell what had happened. I never pressed any charges against Liam, because I knew I would probably lose. A couple of weeks ago, a video was sent to me, in the mail. The envelope didn’t have a return address, but I think it’s Liam who sent it to me, although, I can’t figure out how, since he’s in prison. The video shows…” I pause to collect myself, before proceeding. “It shows Liam and two of his friends having sex with me in the back of a truck. The worst part, is that I don’t remember any of it happening. I remember going out on Liam’s birthday for drinks. I remember his friends joining us, and then I remember waking up in my bed the next morning.”

“They drugged you?” Juliet asks.

“They had to have drugged me. I don’t just black out like that. I know it sounds insane, but I think he’s going to try to use this video against me somehow; I just have to figure out how.”

“Wow.” Matt says. “That’s a lot to take in.”

“I know. Juliet, I didn’t want to tell you about the rape, because… I know that the baby has to be Liam’s.”

“What?” She says, shocked.

“Baby?” Jimmy asks, looking at me.

“I’m pregnant.” I let my head fall, and the tears start to fall again. “I’m sorry that I kept things from all of you, I just was hoping there would be a better way to tell you all.”

“Elody.” Matt places a hand on my back. “It’s not like we hate you. I’m sorry that you’re going through all of this, still. I thought we were done with Liam, but I guess not. We’re all here for you, though, no matter what.”

“Thanks.” I hug him. “I showed Brian the video.”

“Is that why he stormed out?” Zacky asks.

“Yes. He thinks that I was aware of what was going on, that I agreed to it. He thinks I’m some sort of whore.”

“I’m sure he doesn’t think you’re a whore.” Matt says.

“I wouldn’t doubt it, though. The look on his face was of pure disgust, imagine what he’ll think when I tell him about the baby.”

“We will talk to him. Don’t worry. Stress isn’t going to be good for you, or the baby.”

“Thanks, Matt. I’m so glad I have all of you here to support me. I don’t know what I’d do without you guys.”

“I’m going to track down Brian, and talk to him. I won’t return without him. I promise.” Matt smiles, and leaves, to go find Brian.

“I’m so sorry.” Juliet hugs me. “I’m sorry that I wasn’t there for you.”

“You could’ve been, but I just couldn’t tell you at the time. I was so embarrassed.”

“Hey, why don’t we watch a movie?” Jimmy suggests, trying to lighten the mood. “We can order takeout, whatever you like, and watch Dirty Dancing.”

“What?” I ask.

“Brian told us how that was your favorite movie.” He says.

“Of course he did.” I laugh. “Alright… let’s do it.”

Notes

I can't say I'm completely satisfied with this chapter, but I am going to post it anyway.
Let me know what you think!