Secrets (Swept Saga) (11 page)

That was a surprise, the friendship that I found with her. It was unexpected. I was so sure that she was against me and an ally with Emily, come to ruin me further, but I was mistaken. Tiffany had endured constant slander and put downs from Emily. It turns out Tiffany went to high-school with her. It all started then, and it’s only continued. It was late at night, when Tiffany told me her story. We had just finished watching Carrie; it was one of her favorite movies. She looked at me, her expression serious. “Sometimes, I wish I could have the kind of revenge Carrie did.” She said and looked away.

“Why is that?” I asked, unsure if she was leading me into a joke or not.

“Emily has to be the most evil person I know to exist.” She mumbled.

“Don’t be so dramatic, there are far worse people out there, just look at Omar al-Bashir.”

“Who?”

“Omar al-Bashir has not only been responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths, and wide spread rape, but he has also embezzled billions. He makes Emily look like a playful kitten in comparison.”

“How do you even know all of that?”

“I like history, current events and leaders are all part of history. It’s important to know what’s going on in the world around me,” I shrugged.

“Well, Emily may not be Omar, but she’s still evil. I don’t think I’ll ever get over what she’s done to me.”

“What did she do?” I asked, hoping that I would finally know her connection to Emily.

“Emily be-friended me in high-school.” Tiffany starts then takes a deep breath.

“You’ve known her that long?” I butted in.

“Yes, I had just moved, it was November and I was nervous. I hated transferring schools and making new friends. I wasn’t outgoing and I was shy. Emily singled me out and acted like my best friend. I was fooled. I never should have trusted her.”

I scooted closer to Tiffany, like a child who was listening to a bed time story, when the action started to get good. I knew this was going to be an intriguing tale.

“I thought she liked me, really liked me. She was popular and always asked me to go shopping with her or to her house, we were inseparable. What I didn’t know is that when I wasn’t in the room she was talking about me and laughing at me with her other friends. It turns out I was a walking punch line.

Everything I did was being analyzed. Emily had this condescending way about her. I would show her something and ask her if she thought it was cool. Once she realized it was something I liked she would tell me it was stupid. Soon, I was dressing like her and liking the same stuff as her. I was a copy and I didn’t realize the kind of influence she had on me.

One night when I was over at her house, it was just me and her and she looked at me, tucked a lock of hair behind my ear and told me I was beautiful.  I was infatuated by her and she had just given me the highest compliment anyone could ever give. I thought she was beautiful and I was attracted to her. Over time she began to make further advances with me. A kiss on the lips, a slap on the butt, a grope of my breasts; She was coming on to me and I wanted her, too. That was the year I realized I was attracted to girls. I always thought I was weird when guys just didn’t seem appealing to me. I used to wake up from explicit dreams that never involved men. I used to suppress those urges and I did date, but when it came down to the kiss goodnight; I couldn’t follow through. I thought something was wrong with me. But when Emily started flirting with me, I finally understood. I am a lesbian.” Tiffany paused and looked directly at me. I don’t know what kind of reaction she was expecting, but I wasn’t fazed by her words. I waited for her to continue and she finally did.

“One night Emily caressed me and began kissing me. I had been waiting and longing for her, one thing led to another and we were naked in her bed. I experienced my first orgasm with her and I fell completely in love with her. I wanted her more and more and I desired her approval over all.

That wasn’t what I got though. I was so stupid to trust her. She told everyone in the school I was a lesbian. She told them she caught me “lezzing” it up with a girl after school. How she got another girl to agree to the story, I’ll never know. But the boys? They were the worst.

One day I was walking home from school and they followed me, harassing me, asking me if a bit of cock would make me straight. I didn’t look at them, I ignored them, but their taunts continued. I walked faster, but they still pursued me, I began to run and they ran after me. I was scared; I haven’t been more scared in my life. I was trying to lose them before I got home and took a wrong turn. I found myself trapped in a dead end alley with no way out.

They backed me in a corner and held me down. They ripped my clothes and they raped me one after the other. They asked me after each one finished if I was straight yet.” Tiffany’s voice broke, and I felt tears well up in my own eyes as imagined how horrible that was. To endure that kind of pain? I’ve only had a glimpse and it haunted my deepest darkest dreams, but to live with the memories forever? I felt horrible for her.

I reached out to her and gave her a hug. She hugged me back, and then started into the story again. “I found out later that Emily told those boys to do that. I overheard her talking to her friends, bragging like it was an amazing achievement. I didn’t call her out on it. How could I? Everyone thought the world of Emily and I was no one. I remained friends with her, and began plotting a way to get back at her. I will never forgive Emily for what she did to me. Not only did she ruin my reputation, but she organized my rape. I still have nightmares from that day. I can still hear their voices, feel their grubby hands touching me, and smell their sweat. It haunts me and it follows me everywhere I go.

I’m not the only person she’s manipulated and turned against, there are many more like me, and in a way she did the same to you. It may not have been as bad as what I endured but it was still horrible all the same. You’ve said you want to make her pay for what she did to you and I have a way to make that happen. You and everyone else she has ever hurt wants to get her back for what she did.” Tiffany looked up at me, her eyes were cold.

“I can’t believe she did that.” I said my voice breaking.

“She did though. I’ve always wanted to know why.” Tiffany said her voice just above a whisper.

“I’ll help you.” I told her and hugged her again. “Tell me what you want me to do and I’ll help you. No one should have to go through what you did.”

“I was hoping you would say that. Before I tell you what I have planned, I want to make one thing clear. Do not breathe a word to anyone about my sexuality. I’m not ready for the world to know.” Her voice was dark and almost threatening.

“I won’t tell anyone. It’s not my news to tell.”

She watched my face with intensity and decided that I meant what I said. “Good. I’ll talk to you about the plans later, right now I feel drained.” She said and suddenly sounded exhausted. I nodded, “That’s fine, take your time. Good plans always take a lot of time.”

Tiffany yawned, stretched and stood up. “I’m going to call it a night.”

“All right, I’ll see you tomorrow.” I said getting up and then I gave her a hug before she went to her room.

I slowly undressed, while I thought about Tiffany’s story. I couldn’t believe someone could be so cruel. What did Tiffany ever do to deserve it other than being gay? I felt enraged and saddened for her. Then a fleeting thought darkened my mind; just exactly how many people has Emily been with and does she have an STD? I hope that she doesn’t but now I feel disgusted over what I did with her. If I knew the kind of person that she is, it never would have happened in the first place, but then Emily would have found some other way to damage my reputation, since that’s what she does. Gabriel would have ended up with me no matter what.

I put on pajamas, turned out the light and crawled into bed. I closed my eyes and decided that I was going to get tested for STDs just in case. Just as I was settling down, I heard sobs from Tiffany’s room. I couldn’t help but think about those dark nights I’ve had when I remember my own rape. I wanted someone to hold me and tell me that everything was going to be okay, but no one was there.

I got out of bed and entered Tiffany’s room. A black light gleamed against a wall and posters of horror movie villains eerily glowed as they sneered at me. There were also shelves of little figurines that I couldn’t quite see. If it was any other time I would have examined each one, but Tiffany was in need of a friend. I saw her lying in her bed shaking with sobs. I sat down next to her, “Tiffany, I’m here.” I told her and lay down. I held her and brushed her hair with my hand as she cried. She didn’t say anything, and neither did I. Eventually Tiffany stopped shaking, her cries lessened, and we both fell asleep.

The next morning, Tiffany smiled at me when I woke up. “Thank you,” she said, and then got out of bed.

“I’m here whenever you need me. I understand what you’ve been going through, although my rape wasn’t as traumatic as yours.” I responded and managed a tight smile.

Tiffany’s smile faltered, and she sat down next to me. “Every rape is traumatic no matter what the circumstances; there is no rape that is worse than the other. It is all just as monstrous, but I’m sure together we can fight our demons and slowly find some sort of normal.” She said and gave me a hug. I didn’t know how to respond other than agreeing with her.

She stood back up and left the room. I shortly followed her after I took a look around. All the tiny figurines were all horror movie miniatures. I knew she liked horror, but I didn’t know she liked it this much. Her room was almost creepy. I felt like Freddy Krueger was watching me as I left her room. Now I know why her boxes were sealed and heavy.

Tiffany brewed coffee in a pot and offered me a cup. I’ve never been a coffee drinker, but little by little she has converted me. I poured creamer and sugar into the coffee until it was white, then sipped on it letting the liquid warm my body and wake me up. Tiffany sat down at the table across from me and held her cup between her hands. “Emily Williams,” she said shaking her head.

“I know, I’m sorry.” I said meeting her eyes.

“I have a plan; I want to talk to you about it.”

“I would like to hear it.”

Tiffany started in explaining to me that she has a network of friends who have the intention of bringing Emily down. Apparently Emily was planning a party right after finals and that’s when they want to make their move. They were anticipating the majority of the students to attend the party and that’s when they were going to take her out.

It was going to be humiliating and public. Tiffany knew all of Emily’s plans because she was still friends with her. In fact Tiffany was helping Emily plan the event, and Wreck Hock would be playing. As soon as I heard that I knew I would be hearing from Kelly. She would want me to go, which was fine because I fully intended to go. Now all I had to do was keep my grades up and pass my finals, while juggling everything else. It seemed my to-do list was just getting longer and longer.

I was so happy when my grades finally started coming in from my classes. I was passing. I wasn’t making 100% as I planned but I was still making As and that was good enough for me. Ryan was the first person I told and he took me out to celebrate. I was so excited when he came to pick me up. This time instead of flowers, Ryan gave me a box, I don’t know what was in it, but it looked expensive. I knew it was expensive because the wood on the box was smooth and unlike any kind I had ever seen before. The words Richart were etched in the very top. I gave Ryan a puzzled look, then set the box on the table. I opened it and saw gauges in the door that swung open. Inside were more boxes. Each individual box contained chocolates. There were so many different kinds, and they looked delicious. There was also a card, it read: “The world’s best chocolates for the world’s best girlfriend. You are far more amazing than these chocolates could ever wish to be.”

I felt Ryan behind me and he pulled out one of the boxes, picked a chocolate and told me to open my mouth and close my eyes. I did as he asked and he placed a corner of the chocolate in my mouth and asked me to bite. I let the flavor melt into my palate, the chocolate was smooth and rich, and the little hint of filling that I got had a wonderful contrast with the sweet cocoa. I savored the flavor, and then Ryan kissed me. The rest of the chocolate was in his mouth and I moaned as both the flavor and Ryan’s kiss overwhelmed me. The experience was euphoric and set the tone for the rest of the night.

Ryan escorted me to his car, it was dark, fall had fully set in and the days were shorter and the air was crisp. We drove down a road I thought I recognized and it was confirmed when I saw a lake glistening in the moonlight in a clearing. I couldn’t help but note that the road was so much nicer on a motorcycle. Ryan took a turn and parked in almost the exact spot Gabriel had parked his bike not long ago. He helped me out of the car and grabbed a blanket and basket out of the back of his car. I held his arm and walked with him to the grassy edge of the lake; the same area where Gabriel had his way with me in broad daylight.

I helped Ryan spread out the blanket then we both sat down. Ryan unpacked the basket. He put some food on a plate, I couldn’t really see what it was, and offered me a bite. The steak that entered my mouth was juicy and tender. It was the best steak I had ever tasted. I savored it, and then Ryan had the next bite ready for me to eat. He fed me fork full by fork full until the plate was empty. It was an amazing meal, then he handed me a plate full of food and I fed him.