Page 209 of Only With You

“What’s going on? Why are you guys yelling?” Bre stands next to Sienna, staring at us inquisitively and perplexed as well as the other girls who are scattered around the hall.

“Nothing.” She steps back defensively. “Julianna’s just being dramatic like always.”

I dig my fingernails into my shaking palms. “Dramatic? That’s rich of you to say. I didn’t lace your drink. I didn’t abandon you afterward. I didn’tallowsomeone to take advantage of you. I didn’t call you crazy and say it was no big deal. I didn’t downplay how you felt for years!”

Bre’s expression goes slack, and horrified eyes bounce from Sienna to mine. “Sienna, what did you do?”

“She’s obviously lying! That would n-never happen. I wouldn’t d-do that,” she splutters nervously, pointing at her chest as she frantically looks around.

I let out a humorless laugh. “So the text messages are fake?”

The last color remaining on her face drains.

“Why?” My voice breaks, a pain so crippling it stabs me in the heart.

She stands frozen.

“Now you have nothing to say? You’re not going to slut shame me? You’re not going to say it was an accident? That Cole didn’t mean to do it? That we were just drunk!” I stalk toward her and she jerks back, still staying quiet. “Cole locked me in his room and was going to fucking rape me, Sienna! He touched me, he kissed me! And what didyousay in the text message? ‘If anyone asks, Julianna willingly took something, had a little too much to drink.’ That’s what you said, right?” I stand in front of her, fisting my hand at my side. “And then you proceeded to party with the girls like I wasn’t fighting for my life! Like I wasn’t begging him not to touch me!”

She shakes her head. “It wasn’t?—”

I swing my palm back and strike it hard across her face. She stumbles back and cups her blistering red cheek, staring at me, shellshocked.

I glance at the other girls. “It’s not me you all need to worry about. If I were you, I’d be careful about accepting drinks or leaving them around her.” I cast my hardened glare back at her and she flinches back when I bring my hand back, but I drop it.

“Julianna, I’m s?—”

“Don’t apologize when you’re just sorry you got caught.” I shoulder check her on my way down the stairs.

I’d bring up what she did to Nikki’s car, but she’d probably deny that too. As much as there’s more I need to say, it all feels pointless now.

59

JULIANNA

“I’m sosorry you had to go through that.” Gabby sniffles, wiping away the tears that cling to her eyelashes.

I flit my gaze to my steaming mug of hot chocolate, my nail tracing the belt around the ghost. I smile, remembering how Landon randomly showed up to give it to me.

“If I see Sienna, it’s hands on sight,” Daisy gravely states.

“I’d never hit a woman, but I swear she’d make an exception. But for obvious reasons, I can’t hit a woman, but I’ll support you from a distance,” Darius adds, bumping his fist with Daisy’s.

We’re all gathered in the living room of our apartment for Frimance and before everyone heads back home for the holidays. Though most of us will be in New York for the CBS Sports Classic for the annual college basketball game.

I take a drink, holding back a chuckle at the seriousness in their expressions.

“She’s not kidding. She’ll one hundred percent throw hands for you,” Cara states matter-of-factly.

“And I’ll jump in,” El says, livid next to me.

I’ve finally told them about Cole and Sienna, not all of the details because it makes me feel anxious talking about it. I onlyshared what I felt l could talk about. It also made it on the news, so it’s all anyone has been talking about lately.

EspeciallyThe Unfiltered Three, it’s all they want to talk about. Even asked if Landon and I wanted to come on their podcast. It’s weird but when people found out we used to hate each other and are now dating, and Landon is the reason for Cole getting caught, they said they wanted to hear and share our story. I still don’t know how they figured out we didn’t like each other or why we even matter to them, but apparently we have everyone on a chokehold.

Now I understand how Lola and TJ felt when they started dating last year.

“She’s not worth it. I promise.” I don’t take violence lightly and I’d never encourage it, but it feels great hearing how much they care about me. Though they’ve always made it known, I just never paid attention to it. Because of my issues with Sienna, I’d kept my distance because I was scared and didn’t want a repeat. “She’s already facing the consequences anyway.”

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