Page 54 of Another Love, Another Time
Auggie, 18
“Fuck!” I shout. How the fuck did this happen? I know how it happened, and I’ll never forgive myself.
I lace my fingers behind my head and let my gaze fall to the ground. I spot a braided bracelet, the same friendship bracelet that I gave her when we were five. I bend over, pick it up, and stick it in my pocket.
I startle when Melissa approaches and hugs my arm. I rip myself away from her. “Get off me! This is all your fault!”
She recoils from me. “This is not my fault. That could have been anybody. A girl should be able to go to the bathroom without having someone to protect her.”
“You’re right, but if I had been there,” I gesture between us, “it would never have happened.”
“I’m pretty sure you enjoyed that kiss just as much as I did, Auggie,” she says smugly.
“Go back to the dance, Melissa. We’re done.” I turn away, hoping she gets the hint. I have to call my parents. I pull out my phone and dial my mom’s number.
She answers on the second ring. “Are you having fun, Aug?” she laughs out.
She stops when I cry out, “Mom, we have to get to the hospital. Something happened to River.”
I hear her call out to my dad, and then she asks, “Aug, what happened?”
“It’s all my fault, Mom,” I cry.
“Auggie, you’re scaring me. Is River okay? Were you in an accident? Oh god! Were you drinking and driving? You know should have called…”
“No, Mom, she’s not, and it’s all my fault. Logan’s driving me to the hospital, and I think you and Dad need to come too.”
“I’m going to call Aunt Ashley, but you need to tell me what’s going on.”
“Something happened to her at prom. I only left her for a few minutes, and when I came back, she was gone. I thought she went back into the dance. I looked for her everywhere on the dance floor. When I couldn’t find her, I went back to the bathroom, and that’s when I heard all the commotion. Mom, it’s bad. She looks bad. I think... I think she may have been raped, Mom.” I choke back a sob. “She will never forgive me.”
I’m at Logan’s truck now, and I jump in.
“Aug, you need to calm down. So, River’s all alone? Why didn’t anyone ride to the hospital with her?”
Logan keeps running red lights and stop signs, trying to keep up with the ambulance.
“That’s what I’m trying to tell you,” I nearly scream. “She didn’t want me to ride with her. They wouldn’t let me in the ambulance with her.”
“Stay calm. Everyone’s emotions are high right now. Let me call Aunt Ashley. My dad and I will meet you at the hospital. Okay, honey? We’ll meet you there.” And then she ends the call.
“Not to sound like a dick, but how did this happen?” Logan blurts out.
“I left her alone.” I put my head in my lap. I can’t believe this is happening.
“Where’d you go?” I can’t see his face, but I can’t tell. He probably already knows the answer to his question.
“Melissa pulled me away for… a few minutes.”
He groans. “Auggie, you can’t be serious.”
“It’s not what you think.”
“Did you kiss her?” I nod, unable to voice my answer.
“Have you fucked her?” I nod again, not able to lie.
“Then it’s exactly what I think it is.” He’s silent for a minute as we pull into the closest parking space by the emergency room doors. Then, he lets out a huge sigh. “Look, I don’t want you to hate yourself. You are not the one who beat her up, and did God only knows what else to her. Let’s hope River did not see you with Melissa. I think she could forgive you for everything else, but messing with Melissa? I won’t say anything, but what are you going to say when she asks you where you were?”
