CHAPTER 20- Reputation

Izzy's POV 

      "Come on Izzy, stop fighting me, you know you want it." Sean growled in my ear as he repeatedly violated me. I sobbed, digging my nails into his shoulders, trying to get away. 

"Please just STOP!" 

But it didn't stop, more kept coming. They all begin to laugh and cheer Sean on, screaming as the pain takes over my body. 

"Izzy." I twisted away and covered my face, screaming at the top of my lungs. 

~

"IZZY!" Hands pulled mine away from my face and arms wrapped around me, engulfing me in a familiar scent. 

"Mommy?" I whimpered, clutching at her like a small child. 

"I'm here babygirl, you're safe. I've got you." She murmured in my ear, pulling me closer to her. I burst into tears as I curled into her chest. 

"I've got you baby, no one's gonna hurt you, it was just a dream." 

I shook my head, accidentally sobbing out the truth that I'd been holding back. 

"But it wasn't a dream mom. It was a nightmare, but it happened." 

My mom pulled away slightly, brushing my hair out of my face, "What are you talking about?" 

Realizing the secret I'd almost blown, I shook my head and buried my head into her chest. 

"It felt so real mom." She stroked my back and kissed my forehead. 

"I know baby, but it's gone now, you've got me. You're safe." 

I nodded, but knew in my head that it wasn't gone. Sean Mendez would haunt me forever. 

"Stay?" 

She kissed my forehead, "Always." 

~*~

       I woke up wrapped in my mom's arms. Before squirming away like I usually would, I hesitated, wondering how it would feel to really have her here with me. Cautiously, I allowed my body to relax next to her, inhaling her familiar smell as her arms tightened around me. It was so foreign, to have her comfort me this way. It felt strange for her to be here for me, not complaining about me being loud at night. It was nice, but in a way it hurt knowing that this moment wouldn't last forever. As if to prove my point, my mom shifted next to me. 

"Iz? You awake baby?" I looked up and nodded, pulling away. 

"Where are you going?" She said with a smile, pulling me back into her arms, "I'm not finished cuddling." 

I nearly burst into tears, she hadn't done this since I was a kid. Well- sometimes not even then. 

~Flashback~

    "Mommy!" My four year old self giggled as I jumped on my mom's bed, throwing myself into her arms. 

"Izzy! What are you doing?" She snapped, sitting up. 

I frowned, "I wanna cuddle." 

With a groan she checked the time on her phone, then sat up. 

"Mommy can't cuddle right now. I''m late for a meeting. Ask Aliah for breakfast whenever you get hungry. I'll see you later." She said in her business like tone that I'd grown used to. 

"Okay mommy." I didn't make an effort to hide my disappointment and she gave me a sympathetic smile. 

"I'll cuddle with you tonight okay?" 

My smile was huge, "Okay!" 

Needless to say, she didn't come home that night. She took a jet to New York to help with her fashion line. 

~End Flashback~ 

 "What happened last night?" I shrugged, not looking into her eyes because I knew I'd break and tell her everything. 

"I don't know, I can't even remember really." She nodded, and exhaled slowly. 

"You were screaming so loud, I thought you were being murdered for God sake's."

I laughed bitterly, "That's weird." 

We fell into an awkward silence until she asked the question i'd been waiting for. 

"So are you gonna tell me why you are so against going out with that boy?" 

I sighed, trying to think fast of a reason that would make her hate him. 

"He... He has a bit of a reputation." 

My mom sighed, "Haven't I told you to give others a chance?" 

I groaned and rubbed my face, "Mom he has a reputation for.. for forcing girls to do things with him." 

She had the oppostie reaction I'd been hoping for, "Isabella if those allegations were true he'd be in jail. He probably doesn't have many friends because of it. I want you to give him a chance." 

I shook my head, "I don't want to go out with him." 

My mom sighed, "Izzy, come on. I've taught you enough to know that rumors don't define someone, their actions do." 

I nodded in agreement. 

They certainly do. 

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-Rachel