You Are Not Alone

Natasha looked at Riley with a smile. She really was not planning on telling him a single thing about what had transpired at the rooftop. How could she, and have him blame himself. But hey, who said she was not gonna ask him about Carl.

"When I got those maniacs to confess, we all caught sight of two other students

Those students ran, and they pursued after them, so it was easy for me to escape from the two who stayed back.

I was on my way to the station when I received a call from an unknown number. "

"That was Julian, right?" Riley butt in.

"Yeah, Julian. It took me a while to recognize who was speaking, since I didn't know him by name back then. We all met at the station and got everything settled."

"If they were two back then, how come they are now three?"

Natasha smiled

"While Julian and Tharn decided to spy on me, Max decided to stay back in class. He received a message from them, asking him to take their bags and go to where they parked their bikes, find the keys of their bikes and start their bikes."

Riley laughed softly.

"They are so lucky he believed them."

"Yeah, imagine what could have happened to them, if he had thought it was just a prank."

They both had a good laugh before collapsing into the comfort of the chairs.

"So, why did you decide to stay?" Natasha asked, looking him straight in the eyes. The last thing she wanted was for him to avoid the question. She had waited patiently for so long. She really wanted to know, just why did he change his mind. Back when she saw the look of defeat on his face the night it happened, she believed he would never be able to attend the school again. Even her late friend Cassie, had changed schools when the same happened to her. Was it because he was a boy? As if that changes anything.

The fact that he was a boy didn't mean he possibly won't go through the same harassment a female would go through. As a matter of fact, he already was going through them.

Her mind drifted back to what Julian told her when school closed.

*****

The bell rang, signaling the end of the school day. Julian approached Natasha.

"Natasha."

"Yes."

"Can you spare me a minute?"

"Sure."

She gave Riley a pat as she stood up.

"Be right back buddy."

They both moved to the wall. Julian's gaze was fixed on Riley, and he looked worried.

"So...?" Natasha said, when she could no longer bear the silence. Time was going.

He tore his gaze from Riley and tried to look at Natasha with a smile on her face, but his emotions betrayed him, as he really was worried.

"It's dangerous here for him."

He finally said. Natasha nods her head in agreement.

"The fact that it is dangerous does not mean he should hide from it. Sooner or later, it will come back to haunt him, so shouldn't he just face it now."

True, she could understand the fact that it was dangerous, but that didn't mean she was gonna accept his opinion.

Julian let out a troubled sigh, she really did not know what was at stake here.

"You don't get it. The seniors all have their eyes on him, after seeing his delicate skin, and his moans turns them on, both male and female. And some of them have formed a group in order to gang rape him. They are ready to complete what the Handsome Maniacs could not complete."

A worried look flashed across Natasha's face, but it soon turned to a determined look.

"Then I will protect him from them."

"No Natasha, what makes you think you are strong enough?"

"You and your friends will help protect him, right?"

"Natasha." he said in a deep worried voice

"We can't always be around to protect him."

Natasha had to agree on that. Staying, really was dangerous, but so likewise was changing schools. What if he joins a new school, and the students there somehow get to know about his past. Life wouldn't be any easier for him over there.

"I've heard what you have to say Julian. But first, I think knowing why he decided to stay is important, at least, that will give us something to work with."

"Work with?" Julian was a bit surprised she still was proving all stubborn.

"He has to leave if he wants to be safe."

"Oh well, his reason does matter, that way we can know if he's up for the challenge or would want to play it safe."

Julian was not enjoying this stubbornness of hers. Was she not seeing it would put her friend in danger.

Natasha, on the other hand, was beginning to dislike Julian for wanting to take matters into his own hands, and not wanting to give Riley a say in his own matter.

There they stood, shooting daggers at each other.

"Is this some sort of staring competition or what?"

Hearing his soft voice, brought them to realize they were still in class. This got them worried Riley might have heard them. But seeing that innocent smile of his, they never felt any more calmer.

Natasha held Riley's hand and they went back to their seats, picked up their bags and left.

Max and Tharn approached Julian, both placing a palm on his shoulders.

"Already pissing off your crush even before you confess?" Tharn said jokingly, but was in for a surprise.

"She really pisses me off with that stubbornness of hers."

This was the first time they ever saw Julian get angry at his crush.

*****

"Why did I decide to stay back?" Riley repeated, asking himself, as though he was not so sure of the real reason he stayed.

"I guess I'm facing my fears just as you suggested."

Natasha looked worried. This was a guess, then he really was not sure.

"Riley, if you know you are not up to..."

"No Natasha. Don't bother convincing me to leave. I'm fed up of being scared all the time, not knowing what to expect. Not knowing if the person smiling with me is actually thinking of ways to consume me. I'm fed up Natasha. I just want it all to come to an end. And it will never end unless I end it myself."

"Riley, the seniors... "

"I know, some of the seniors are interested in bedding me, both males and females. Don't worry, I don't plan on entering any relationship or giving anyone hopes again, afterall, all of these happened because of relationships."

"No Riley, not relationship."

"Force? Don't worry, I will be much more careful. I will never fall into the same trap twice. And never walk around the school alone. Richard has offered to pick me from school everyday. So see, I'm ready for whatever they throw my way."

A smile finally found it's way on her face. Seeing his determination also made her determined to protect him no matter the cost.

"We will survive this together Riley. You are not alone in this."

"Thanks Nat, for always being there for me."

"Hearing you call me 'Nat' kinda sounds nice. You should call me that more often."

"Sure Nat."

They sat still in silence, with smiles on their faces. The emotions they felt could not be described with a few words.

Riley was the first to break the silence, as he was feeling a bit tired, so he wanted to rest early.

"Bout time for me to go to sleep." he said as he stood up and yawned.

"Hey, wait."

Natasha said as she abruptly stood up. After standing up, she remained stiff and she stared at her feet as though there was something new about it.

Riley chuckled seeing her that way. The Natasha he was more familiar with, was the one to jump into things without a pause or thought, so why the pause.

"Wonna tell me something?" he asked, curiosity written all over his face.

"Ah! No. I want to ask you something."

"Sure, throw it."

He sat down and motioned for her to also sit, which she does in a jiffy.

"I heard some rumors about how you hurt Carl. Is it true and even if it is, why did you do such?"