Summer break came fast. I found myself still sad over Jim. He ignored my calls, maybe even blocked my number. I needed a clear head, I needed him to pick up so I could go through with the plan to expose Mr. Pierce. It is all happening today, so I have to get my emotions in check. I decided to leave a voicemail. "Hey Jim, it's me, I'm sorry for being so careless about your feelings. I'm gonna tell you everything. So...can you pick up the phone?" I hung up. Just then a text flashed against my screen.

Lex: Ready?

On a bench on campus, I sat, watching students celebrating the vacation, some rolling suitcases, other laying in the grass or standing in groups laughing. Having fun. Fun. Something I rarely had anymore. I think back to high school. In a quick flash, I saw the haunting memory, a familiar face, a black haired girl who loved finger cookies and karaoke, an old friend. Then a flash to her running away while a group of guys surround me...their eyes undressing me.

My phone rings, I answer shaking away the bad memory. "I'm here." Was all he said with his low tone before hanging up. I get up, passing fellow peers. Going to the front entrance. I expected to see his bike, but instead a almost broke down Nissan waited for me. Strange...did his father not give him any money?

Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.

"Hey." I open the passenger side door, sliding in.

"Hey." Lex puts the car in drive and rolls forward. "So, out of the 22 girls only four responded. It would've been better if all did, but we gotta take what we can get."

I frown. "Maybe you approached them wrong." He let out a long sigh. I felt him getting angry. "How did you word it?"

"Hello, insert girl's name, if you want justice for what Mr. Pierce has done to you, call me back."

I look over at him, squinting. "I think you did your best, but it sounds like a setup and also lacks empathy."

"How would you word it?" Lex halts the car at a red light, students cross, with book bags and flip flops.

I stare at the ground, in a daze. Taking a moment. Let it out. Say how it really made me feel. "I know it's hard coming forward after being sexually harassed, and that it makes a woman feel insignificant, like her existence and profession was for nothing because of her gender. How easy it is to revert back to a woman surrounded by old standards, even in this time. To have no respect or help from the world who'll just judge you, or count you as a woman asking for it before a woman who needs support. I know this, because I was a victim of Mr. Pierce, and I'm asking you to join me in taking him down."

Nothing but outside noise flows through the air. My eyes keep contact with the ground, tearing up. "I'm sorry." I hear him say with much rawness.

"I should've let out more, but I'm not ready."