*lil authors note*

I put a disclaimer at the beginning of the book, but I feel the need to warn everyone again. This book has mature themes and content. Yes it has it's funny, cute moments, but there are also things that some people might be uncomfortable with. With that being said, I will no longer put warnings at the beginning of the chapters for inappropriate content. Hopefully you knew what you were getting into before you started reading.

Ok I'm done now. Enjoy:)

Chapter 20: Traumatized

Cheyenne's POV

"I've tried reaching you since yesterday!" Kimora says falling into step beside me as I walk to my locker.

"Oh."

"You called? Did something happen?"

I spin my combination, tuck in my bag, adjust my hair, swipe on some Chapstick, and grab my school bag before closing my locker and turning to face her. She gives me a quizzical look.

"Cheyenne?"

"Mhmm."

"You called me yesterday."

"Where were you?" I suddenly ask.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean why didn't you answer the phone. Did you leave with Reese or something?" I lean against the lockers and study her face closely.

"I- yeah- I mean I guess I left with Reese."

"You guess?"

"What's the point of this? You obviously called for some reason."

"I just wanna know why you didn't answer the phone."

"I was busy!" She shouts.

"Ok." I finally reply slowly. "We'll get to why I called. Time to spill about where you disappeared to last weekend."

"Your still on that?" She rolls her eyes. "I went to a party, big deal."

"A party?"

"Yes a party."

"Who's party?"

"Just one of my friends Alicia's."

"How come I've never heard of this Alicia?"

"Geez do I have to tell you about all my friends? I can have other friends you know."

"Ok don't get an attitude with me." I snap.

"Are you gonna tell me why you called or not?" She huffs.

I stare at her for a moment before blowing out a sigh. "My par-"

Her phone beeps and she holds up her hand. "Hold up."

My mouth drops open as she cuts me off to check her fucking phone. She smiles at the screen and her fingers tap out a reply before she slides it back in her pocket.

"Sorry, what were you saying?"

"Who was that?" I ask, my voice deadly calm.

"Oh it was just Leesh."

"Leesh?"

"Alicia, but I call her Leesh."

"And what did Leesh want?"

"Oh she just invited me to another party."

"So let me get this straight," I take a deep breath. "You cut me off to check your phone for an invite to a fucking party? You couldn't have waited until I was done talking?"

"What's the big deal?" She shrugs. "Is what you have to say really that important?"

"Unbelievable." I shake my head at her. "Your such a pathological liar. You smoked weed with Reese after I left didn't you? That's why you didn't pick up the phone."

Her face pales. "Cheyenne just listen-"

"I am sick of people asking me to listen!" I explode. "Cheyenne let me explain, Cheyenne just listen, Cheyenne hear me out!"

"Ok fine then don't let me talk. But it's my life and I can do whatever the hell I want! Besides, hanging out with you lately has been such a downer. You never want to have fun. Your always whining about your parents or talking about Sebastian. It's never about me!" She shouts back.

"Are you kidding me!? Your the
whiniest baby of them all! Boo fucking who, my crush died and my parents only want the best for me. I'm such a spoiled ungrateful girl throwing my life away cause I want to be cool! News flash: your not cool, your just a poser!"

"I am not a poser!" She screams. "If you don't like the way I am then maybe we shouldn't be friends!" The bell rings. People are staring at us, whispering among themselves.

I give her my most murderous look and shoulder check her as I walk past. She stumbles back and crashes into the lookers.

"Screw you!" She screams at my back.

******

I meet Sebastian after school at the front gates.

"Are we on for tomorrow?" He asks.

"Yeah. At your place right?"

"Yep."

"Ok see you then." I say and he pulls me in for a dizzying kiss. I smile at him when we break apart.

"Bye." He waves and walks away. I'm still smiling stupidly when I turn around and find Kimora standing by the bike racks staring at me. 

I quickly turn away and walk off.

Who needs enemies, when you've got friends like that?

Reese's POV

The nightmare always starts the same.

It's dark. I'm in a basement, shaking in a corner as the guys drag my brother down the basement steps. Water is dripping somewhere far off in the distance.

Drip, drip, drip.

"Please," Valentino begs. "Don't hurt him."

"Don't worry." One of the guys sneers. His brown hair is buzzed and he sports  a tattoo of horns on his biceps. "He's only a spectator."

"This is what happens when you mess with us." Another one laughs cruelly. He looks at me as tears stream steadily down my face. "Watch kiddo."

The six of them gather around my brother. Buzz cut produces a baseball bat and waves it around.

"Heard you like baseball. Ain't that right kid?"

I tremble, unable to answer.

"FUCKING ANSWER THE QUESTION !" He roars.

"Yes." I whimper. "I like baseball."

He nods seemingly satisfied. Then he kicks my brother just for the heck of it. Valentino groans in pain.

"Why don't you take a swing?" He suggests casually poking and prodding at my brother with the bat. He's already sporting a black eye.

"I- I can't."

"Fine then suit yourself." Before I can blink he swings down the bat on my brother back. A sickening crack echoes throughout the room as Valentino screams.

"STOP!" I yell.

"I said. Take. A. Swing."

"It's ok." Valentino reassures me from the ground. His voice is hoarse. "Go ahead."

"No no no I can't." I shake my head violently. I won't hurt my brother.

For a moment, it's silent.

"I completely understand." Buzz cut says sympathetically. "You won't hurt him. I totally get it."

For a minute, I'm relieved. Maybe they'll let us go. I think we're getting off easy with only a broken back to deal with. I'll call 911 and-

"But you see, whether or not you hit him doesn't make a difference. I was only offering to be courteous." The others snicker.

My heart sinks.

"Boys. It's time to teach this puta a lesson."

"Wait, please don't do this-"

But my plea is lost. The leader smacks him with the bat again signaling the others to attack. They punch him, kick him, take turns with the bat. Six people beating on one guy. I want to look away. Any normal person would look away.

But I can't.

My screams and cries mix in with Valentino's sounds of pain. The guys have sick sadistic smiles on their faces. They love this. They love hearing our sounds of sorrow.

Suddenly they stop. Valentino is nothing more than bloody pulp on the ground. Both eyes are swollen shut. His legs are bent at an odd angle, as well as his arms. Blood pools beneath him.

I think he's dead.

But them he groans and I know he's still alive. Hope blossoms in my chest.

Until I hear the sound of a gun being cocked.

"Please let us go!" I beg desperately. "You've done enough! Please, you don't have to kill him!"

"Oh but I do." Buzz says. "You see, if I just let people who cross us go, who would ever take us seriously? Why do you think we're so feared? I wish it didn't have to come to this." He shakes his head remorsefully. "But alas, this is the end for him. Say goodbye."

"Reese," Valentino croaks and slowly turns his head to me. "Don't look."

And in those two words, I also hear the three words he didn't speak.

I love you.

The trigger is pulled.

I shoot up, sweating bullets and breathing heavily. My eyes feel watery. To my horror, tears are rolling down my cheeks. I angrily wipe them away.

My brother wasn't killed in some freak car accident like everyone else thinks.

He was murdered.

And I witnessed the entire thing.

Krystal's POV

Ping. Ping. Ping.

I roll over in bed and pull the covers tighter over me.

Ping. Ping. Ping.

"Uhhh." I slowly sit up, my eyes bleary. It takes a few blinks for the world to clear. Now that my senses are running I identify the sound as rocks being thrown at my window.

The clock says 2:47am. I place my feet on the soft carpet and carefully creep toward my windows, drawing the curtains.

Ping. Ping. Ping.

The sudden sound so close causes me to jump. I peer out into the darkness. There's a figure down below. I squint my eyes.

It's Reese.

"Reese?" I immediately open my window. "What are you doing? Do you know how late it is?"

"I need to talk to you." His voice cracks at the end of the sentence.

"Come on up then." I sigh trying to fight drowsiness. Being pregnant leaves you feeling tired all the time.

Once he's inside I shut the window and turn to face him.

"Now, what's oh so important you couldn't wait until a normal hour?" I flick on my light, getting a better look at him.

He's wearing a sweats and his hair is a mess. What really makes me gasp however, is the fact that he's wearing a Chico state sweatshirt, one that belonged to his brother, and his eyes are red and tear rimmed.

My sleepiness vanishes and concern takes it's place.

"Oh my gosh come here." I open my arms and he wraps himself around me, burying his face in my shoulder.

I know Reese has never cried in front of anyone. Ever. The last time he cried was when his brother died, and that was when he was thirteen. After that, it was like his tear ducts shut down or shriveled up. He didn't even get watery eyes. So to see him like this now, well it awakens a deep worry in me.

"It's gonna be ok." I stroke his head.

"No, it's not." His voice is muffled. "I just want to kill myself."

Oh shit. He's never had suicidal thoughts before.

"Don't ever even think that." I say fiercely drawing back. "You are not going to die. You are going to live. You are going to get past this because that's what Valentino would have wanted. He wouldn't want to see you like this."

His face remains impassive so I shake him.

"Do you hear me Reese? "If you kill yourself I will personally bring you back from the dead and kill you again."

He nods and I breath a sigh of relief.

"Reese," I start slowly. "Maybe- maybe it's time you tell everyone the truth. It's too big of a burden to carry by yourself and you know it. The weight of it is crushing you."

"I-I can't. I just can't."

"But-"

"No." He says firmly, eyes dry now. "I won't."

"Your parents deserve to know!" I argue. "How can you keep this from them?"

"What, so my mom can be plagued with nightmares and end up messed up like me? Hell no. If I can save her from it then I will."

"Don't you want justice for your brother? Those guys are still out there doing God knows what to other innocent people!"

"I don't care about any of that! I want to keep what's left of the little sanity I have left. Going after them isn't going I help. Even if they die, it won't bring my brother back!" He shakes his head. "Forget it, I don't even know why I came here."

He turns to go but I grab his arm. "Wait." I pause.

"I'm sorry I just- I want you to get better. I hate seeing you like this."

"I don't know if I'll ever get better Krystal. It sucks, but it's the truth."

I lower my head, tears gathering in my eyes. It really does suck. Maybe he won't ever get better. Maybe it'll always be like this. Maybe I'll finally just have to move on.

Because I can't live like this.

I plop down on my bed, exhaustion setting in.

"I'm really tired. I need sleep so goodnight." Without waiting for his answer I pull the covers over me and turn my back to him.

The last thing I remember are the lights going off and soft lips on my forehead.

Kimora's POV

"Shots! Shots! Shots!"

I gulp down drink after drink and slam my last glass down, beating my competitor by seconds.

"Fork it over baby!" I hold out my hand and the girl begrudgingly slaps some cash into it.

"Damn girl, I didn't know you could be so wild." Alicia grins at me.

"Me neither." I grin back.

It's Wednesday night, and I should be in bed sleeping for school tomorrow, but where's the fun in that? So instead I'm here, in a skimpy outfit Alicia let me borrow that consists of a short skirt and cutoff halter top, having the time of my life. The music pounds throughout the house, and the sweet sweet smell of drugs and alcohol penetrates the air.

"Come on lets dance." She pulls me into the living room and we grind against each other, attracting the eyes of our fellow mates. We continue to dance until our feet feel like falling off.

"I need another drink." She pants.

I'm about to agree with her when my eyes find a certain dark haired devil.

"You go on ahead. I'll catch up." She nods and takes off.

I saunter up to him where he's leaning against the wall with a cigarette between his fingers. "Having fun?" I cross my arms.

"You know I'm all about fun." He grins wickedly. "By the way you haven't seen Reese around have you?"

"He's here?" My eyes widen.

"Yep he's staying here. Don't know where he is though, he usually stays for my parties." Marcus's forehead crinkles in concern.

"Well he's not here right now is he?" I ask, just to make sure.

"Nah." He stamps out his cigarette on the carpet. "Enough about him, I know you don't own such a sexy little outfit like that."

"Alicia let me borrow it. It looks great on me doesn't it?" I twirl around.

"Hell yeah. But it would even look better off." He licks his lips.

"Oh really?" I raise a brow and a plan formulates in my brain. "Stay here. I'll be right back."

I hurry to the kitchen and grab two drinks. Marcus looks at me curiously as I hand him one.

"Drink up." I smile slyly and tip my cup back. He does the same. Halfway through my drink I purposely spill the rest on my top.

"Shit." I curse. The top is white and I'm not wearing a bra, so little is left to the imagination. "Look what I did. Help me clean this up?" I peek a glance at him. His lips have formed a dangerous smirk. He turns and starts down the hallway. I follow him.

Once in his room he closes the door and I hear the lock click. Marcus pushes me against the wall.

"I love it when you get rough." I tease him. "Oh and just so you know, I'm sober. Mostly."

"Your pushing me." He says trailing a finger up and down my thigh.

"It's what I do best."

"Let me show you what I do best." He spins me around and unties the knot keeping my top on. It falls to the floor. His hands grab my hardened nipples and he pinches them.

"Fuck." I curse. My body just naturally responds to him.

His lips skim down my neck and I tilt my head giving him more access. I want him in so many ways and it feels as if I can't get enough.

I want control.

So I turn around and back him up until he's forced to sit on the bed.

"Take off your shirt." I command.

"Bossy." He complies and I lay him down, getting on top to straddle him.

"What do you plan to do to me?" His gaze like liquid fire.

"Everything."

I trail my lips down his rock hard chest, relishing in the feel of his heated skin against mine. He groans beneath me, only fueling me on.

Once my lips reach his pants I slide them down slowly along with his boxers, gazing at him the whole time. Once removed, I grip his length and he hisses.

You can do this. It's easy. Like sucking a lollipop or eating a banana. Well, not entirely like eating a banana. Ok just think lollipop.

I lick the tip and he bucks under me.

"Hold still." I say concentrated.

"Your killing me here." He says, voice strained.

I take the head in and run my tongue along it.  Hmm, not bad. Salty but also a little sweet.

Feeling a little more confident I take more in and repeat the same actions. As I keep going Marcus let's out a steady stream of curses.

"I'm going to come." He groans. "Pull out now."

Spitters are quitters.

So I keep my mouth in place as warm oozy liquid shoots down my throat. I almost choke on it but manage to swallow it down.

I sit up and wipe my mouth with the back of my hand, feeling even more turned on than before.

"My turn." Marcus suddenly flips me over and pulls down my skirt in one go. He's ready rock hard again.  My kitty throbs for him since I didn't get any release yet.

He quickly slides on a condom and eases himself in. I wrap my legs around him so he can go deeper. It's like once you have sex for the first time you can't stop.

He moves in and out slowly frustrating me.

"Go faster." I whine.

"No, I think I like torturing you better." He says. I fold my arms around his neck and being his face close to mine.

"Marcus." I say against his lips. "Go. Faster." Then I bite his bottom lip.

His eyes close in ecstasy and then he begins to move, increasing speed and tempo with each thrust. I'm chanting his name like a mantra as I reach my breaking point. He keeps moving until I feel him freeze and then shout.

Afterwards he lays on top of me panting and I pepper kissed down his neck.

"What happened to in your dreams?" He questions, his voice muffled by the bed sheets.

"You are dreaming." I murmur. "And when you wake up I'll be gone."

"Well I intend to make the most of this dream. How about a shower to clean up?" He rolls off me and stands up.

It takes me a minute to respond as I'm ogling his ass. Finally I look up at him. He's smirking down at me.

"Like what you see?"

"Don't flatter yourself." I throw a pillow at him. "A shower it is."

Sebastian's POV

"Haley, Sebastian! Come to the living room please!" Mom called.

A second later my room door flew open.

"House meeting!" Haley cheered.

"I don't see what's so great about a house meeting." I grumbled lazily getting up from bed where I was just about to take a nap.

"I wonder what it's about. Maybe we're going on vacation!" She babbled as we made our way to the living room. Her mouth snapped shut though, when she saw our father sitting down next to mom.

"House meeting adjourned." I turn around to go back to my room.

"Sebastian Cole sit down." Mom commanded. "You too Haley."

We reluctantly sat on the couch farthest from them. Haley started counting and I wondered how long this would take before I could get back to my nap. 

"Since I've gotten back you two have been acting very strange. At fisrt, I thought it was because of Sebastian's girlfriend. But then I noticed the weird atmosphere that forms when you're around your father. Care to explain?"

Haley's counting got louder and I rubbed her back soothingly trying to calm her down. For the most part Haley was ok. Sometimes you even forgot she had autism. People just thought she was hyperactive or something. But then signs appeared when she was faced with stressful or unpleasant situations. It could range from odd habits like counting or muttering to full blown tantrums and breakdowns.

"Haley, baby. Are you ok? Have you been taking your medications?" Mom looked worried.

"51, 52, 53, 54, 55." She chanted.

"She's fine mom." I cut in. "The doctor said she's been doing great so they took her off the meds."

"Are you su-"

"Can we just get on with it?" I wanted to get Haley away from his as soon as possible.

"Ok," she looked at at us. "You two don't seem to be getting along with your father and I wanted to know why. Did something happen?"

It was silent and dad reached up to itch his neck.

That's when all hell broke loose.

Haley grabbed her own neck and started screaming. I jumped up.

"Hales!" I shouted. "Stop!"

"What is she doing?" Mother cried. Dad tried to lead her away but she wouldn't budge. She looked at him frantically. "Do something!"

Haley had started choking herself and writhing on the floor, tears streaming down her face. I tried to pry her hands from her neck. Her face was staring to turn blue. She was going to kill herself.

"Oh God." Mom dropped to the floor in sobs. Dad reached for Haley and I batted his hand away.

"Don't touch her." I growled.

He recoiled back and I used all my strength to remove Haley's hands from her own neck. She started sputtering and coughing. Color slowly made it's way back to her face.

Mom was a mess on the floor and I was afraid she would go into a shock induced coma or something. There was no way she could handle the truth.

"Get mom upstairs!" I yelled at dad. He wore a mask of guilt on his face and opened his mouth to say something but I turned my attention back to Haley. She was still recovering and I spoke reassuringly to her.

I hated that bastard.

End of chapter!

This chapter may have brought a lot of confusion to readers.

Just to clear a few things up, the only people who know how Valentino really died is Marcus and Krystal. Everyone else, including Reese's therapist and his parents think it was a car accident. When Agnes mentions in previous therapy sessions about Reese's "nightmares" she doesn't know about the real ones because Reese lied about the dreams he has to fit Valentino's fake death. Hope that clears up any confusion.

I know things probably don't make a lot of sense right now, so many questions but no answers. But I promise as the story goes on everything will come into place and all the characters backgrounds will be revealed. Just be patient with me.

If you're really lost, I can do a review chapter and try to summarize/answer questions about what's happened so far without any spoilers. Just let me know in the comments.

Stay groovy✌️