Don't Talk About It

chapter two

"And what about you? How do you feel?"

"I don't know. Angry. Confused. Scared. Hopeless."

"Why hopeless?"

"Because, he gets to go on about his life like nothing happened while I'm forever stuck living like this."

"I know." She gulped and I could hear the tremble in her voice.

"How?"

"I've been in your position before. I know how it feels, knowing deep down that you're all alone and that nobody really cares." She tears off a piece of paper on her clipboard and scribbles something on it. She hands it to me. It's her phone number.

"You don't ever have to worry about me pushing you into saying anything. This is my personal number. Anytime you need to talk, feel free to call me. I'm a good listener."

I wrap my arms around her waist. "Thank you."

"Shhh, shhh." She cooed. "It's no problem, honey. I'm here for you."

A thought appeared in my mind. "Where is he?"

"Ian?"

"No." I sniffle and let her go. "The guy."

"He stayed in the lobby for a while when he first brought you in. You can go check if he's still there if you'd like."

I nodded. "What does he look like?"

"He's around six feet tall and has shaggy blonde hair and hazel eyes."

I get off the bed and hug myself in the cold room. The silence is broken by a question.

"I have something to ask you."

"Okay." I said nervously.

"I know that you don't want to go to the police, so how about I do a rape kit? That way you'll have evidence if you eventually do decide to say something."

"I don't know." I look down. "It's just going to make it more real."

"I understand. It was just a thought. We're all about our patients and their consent, so I would never force you and make this even harder on you."

I give her a small smile. This is my life now.

I open the door and wander into the lobby. I look around and only see a man with his daughter next to him sitting in the waiting chairs. I walk further. I hear something near the vending machine and walk over. I see a tall guy matching Nurse Zamora's description.

"H-hi." I clear my throat.

He turns around, eyes wide like he's seen a ghost. "Hey."

"Thank you. Nurse Zamora said that you found me and brought me here."

"Yeah, it was no problem." There was a moment of silence before he spoke again. "Everything okay?"

"Yeah, I just have a concussion." I half lied.

"Why were you out there like that, anyway?"

"Like what?" I don't know why, but I got defensive.

"Alone and cold. You were freezing to the touch."

"Oh. I must've just fell."

He studied my face, silent. "I'm glad you're okay."

"Thanks."

"You're welcome." He extends his arm. "I'm Bryson."

I shake his hand. "Lia."

"I know. We're in the same first and fourth period class."