Chapter 9

The next morning Aden waited anxiously by a bench at the park near Tia’s house. His Aunt and his mother were at the clinic, and Aden had told them that since winter formal was that day they were all staying at Lana’s house to get ready. That was partially true, he was supposed to be at Lana’s around noon. Yet he knew that he needed to talk to Tia first. To his relief, he saw the figure of Tia walking quickly towards the park, wrapped tightly in a green jacket with scarf and mittens. He signaled for her to sit down, and he sat down next to her.
She looked like she hadn’t slept, and he was sure that she hadn’t. Her eyes were a little puffy, and painfully he wondered if her Uncle had been in her room that night.
“Tia, I know that you’re still upset that I know. I don’t even know that I had you come here to tell you anything specific, all I know is that I had to see you.”
She nodded slowly. “I just don’t know what to do.”
“You don’t have to worry about it, Ti. When we tell the Society, we’ll all help you. We’ll help you tell your parents, and once you tell your parents your Uncle will probably go to jail. After that, you’ll be free, and we can help you overcome this. You can do it, Tia, everyone is on your side.”
She wouldn’t look at him, but he knew that she was listening. After a moment she said “If everyone is on my side, why do I feel so alone? I’m so lost. Even if everyone is on my side, I’m so lost. He’s my Uncle, it’s been happening for so long. And now…”
She couldn’t finish, but Aden looked cautiously down at her stomach. He knew that the situation was ten times more complicated because of the pregnancy. Her religion would undoubtedly tell her to have the baby, but the process would be so painful for her. Not to mention, Aden knew enough about medical issues to know that the baby would have many problems, and a fifteen-year-old girl’s body probably shouldn’t be supporting a child.
“Ti, I can’t tell you what to do about that part of it, but I can tell you no matter what happens, we’ll be right there beside you.”
She nodded, but he wasn’t sure if she had heard that part of it. Her mind seemed to be turning in a million different directions and he knew he would never quite understand what she was going through.
“I’ll be right beside you.” He continued softly. “If there was anything I could promise you and guarantee that I’ll keep my promise, it’s that I’ll be there for you, Ti. Whatever you need, whenever you need it. I can’t say I’ll ever know or understand, but I can be here. You are not alone.”
She turned her head then and truly looked at him. He would never be able to describe this moment in words later in life, but Aden somehow knew that she was really seeing him for the first time. He wasn’t just someone she liked anymore, he was someone who truly cared for her in a way that he was sure she didn’t completely understand. Words weren’t unnecessary. It wasn’t passion and it wasn’t romance, but a sense of mutual love and understanding so unique the two had never felt it from anyone before.
Tia looked away and Aden continued to look at her for a moment before looking towards the horizon. He knew that they needed nothing more than to sit next to one another, and he silently smiled to himself. So this was life; bitter-sweet in all of its complexity. Yet somehow he couldn’t help but know that somehow, things would turn out okay. So long as they were together, everything would be okay.

* * * * *

“Why are you so late?” Isabella snapped as Aden made his way into Lana’s library a full two hours after their planned time.
“Oh, fuck off.” Aden replied, taking off his hat and scarf.
“What happened to your face!” Lana screeched and instantly ran over to investigate.
Jeremy and Isabella were soon to follow, and the trio began fretting about his badly bruised face, which was now rather purple.
“Lay off, guys.” Aden said, a little irritated. “I’m fine.”
Isabella rolled her eyes. “Because this looks just peachy, I get black eyes all the time.”
“What happened, Aden?” Lana said, looking very worried.
He paused for a moment. He’d been so caught up with Tia that he hadn’t realized he would have to confess his own troubles to the Society.
“Well, got beat up by my drunk Dad. About time too, after he hit me he managed to knock my Mom into something. She’s at the clinic today with my Aunt to make sure she doesn’t have a concussion.”
“Oh my God.” Lana said. “Do you know if she’s okay? Are you okay? Are you sure you’re okay to go to winter formal?”
“I’m really fine, actually. I did it on purpose.”
Jeremy frowned. “Why would you do something like that?”
“It was the only way to get my Mom to leave him, if he hit me. It worked, anyway, last night my Mom went to the cops and my Dad’s been arrested. I don’t know that she’ll sign for a divorce just yet, but we’re trying to take it a step at a time. We’ll move back into the house soon.”
Lana shook her head. “I can’t believe this. Aden, why didn’t you tell us about any of this? We just saw you.”
“Hadn’t been planning it for very long.” Aden shrugged. “Sort of a spontaneous decision.”
Isabella shook her head. “If you go out looking like that you’re going to attract a lot of unwanted attention.”
“Cover up.” Lana said, nodding to herself. “We’re going to need lots of cover up.”
“Fuck that, I’m not wearing makeup.”
Jeremy raised his eyebrow. “Too manly, Aden?”
“They might not even let you in looking like that, asshole, they’ll think you’re some punk kid waiting to cause trouble.” Isabella said irritably. “Just go with it for now, no one will notice.”
Lana smiled. “I’m very good with makeup, Aden, trust me.”

* * * * *
Aden grumbled while Lana and Isabella pinned him down to cover up the massive bruise on his face, but he didn’t stop them. There wasn’t much they could do about the large cut on his forehead, but after the girls were done it was the only visible sign of the struggle with his father left. After that, the girls went to another bathroom to get themselves ready while leaving Jeremy and Aden to get dressed in the study. They were ready very quickly, and sat side by side on a sofa.
“Tia is what made you do it, isn’t it?” Jeremy said as they sat waiting for the girls to come back.
Aden frowned. “What makes you say that?”
“I don’t know, I just get this sense from you two. You’re like twins or something, you don’t have to speak but it’s pretty obvious.”
Aden looked over at Jeremy, somewhat surprised. “What do you mean?”
“Come on man,” Jeremy said, smiling now. “You like her.”
Aden couldn’t help but smile. “You’re full of shit, man.”
“I’m not the one full of shit, you’re the one who is into her. It’s good though. I think she likes you back and you seem to help each other. I think she’s the one who made you stand up to your Dad.”
Aden’s face went a little blank as he remembered how she was indeed his inspiration for his dramatic actions. He also couldn’t help recalling what he knew about Tia and what he knew the Society would soon find out.
“What about you and Isabella?” Aden said, trying to change the subject.
Jeremy frowned. “What about us?”
“I don’t know, you just seem like you have a thing for her.”
Jeremy laughed. “You’ve got to be kidding me, Isabella? She hates me.”
“I don’t think so.” Aden said, smiling. “I mean, I don’t think she has the hots for you, but she doesn’t hate you.”
Jeremy raised an eyebrow. “I’m not sure whether to say thank you or fuck you, but for the time being I’ll just ignore it. I don’t know how I feel about Bella, but she’s a great friend.”
“Also known as you have the hots for her.” Aden replied, winking “But I’ll keep your secret.”
Jeremy was about to object when Isabella walked through the door.
“This is humiliating.” She said, as she walked in wearing a light pink gown that she had borrowed from Lana. It was form fitting because Lana was a little smaller than Isabella, but it accentuated many curves that the boys had never seen before.
“Jesus Christ, Isabella, you’re fuckin’ hot when you wear girl clothes.” Aden said
Isabella turned quite red, but the look on her face could have shot daggers. “Say one more thing like that and I swear to God I will neuter you in a second.”
At that moment Lana walked in wearing a red strapless dress with black accents. “You’re neutering someone? What did Aden say?”
“I told you this dress is too much!” Isabella muttered to Lana.
“You look beautiful Bella, don’t worry.”
Isabella rolled her eyes. “That’s the problem, apparently.”
Aden winked at her. “What’s the matter? Am I making you uncomfortable?”
“Oh, you are so dead…” Isabella growled, beginning to walk towards Aden. Lana caught her arm and pulled her back.
“You look amazing, so don’t be embarrassed about it and don’t let anyone make you feel bad about it. Just remember this is only one day a year.” Lana turned to the group. “Ready for dinner?”

* * * * *

When the four teenagers made it to the dance they were greeted with odd looks and whispers. The school gym was large and poorly decorated, but the lights were dimmed to try to set a formal mood and there were tables with sophisticated looking food. The foursome knew that they would attract attention as the last four people that would be expected to be seen together, but somehow none of them really cared.
“This is bullshit.” Isabella said, yelling over the music. “What the fuck are we supposed to do?”
“Well, we’re supposed to dance, but no one is on the dance floor.” Lana said, shrugging.
Indeed, the large dance floor lay empty even as the music blasted. Everyone was on the sides, talking or eating food.
“Cool, let’s go eat.” Aden said, grabbing Lana’s arm. The two of them went to a nearby table to pick at some of the snacks while Jeremy and Aden stood towards the entrance.
“This is so lame.” Isabella said. “I don’t even know why I agreed to go.”
“Well, we don’t have to stay for long.” Jeremy said tentatively. “If you’re really uncomfortable we can just stay for awhile and then hang out somewhere else.”
Suddenly the music became softer and a slow song began to play. All of a sudden people were on the dance floor, couples dancing close and to Jeremy’s embarrassment, also kissing passionately.
Isabella rolled her eyes. “Might as well dance.”
Jeremy’s eyes opened wide and his voice cracked a little bit. “What?”
“Well those two are over there eating like pigs, now people are on the dance floor. Let’s just go, afraid to touch me or something?”
“No, no, I mean, sure…yeah, let’s go. Sounds good.”
The words that Aden had said earlier ran through his mind as he tentatively held Isabella’s hand, placed the other on her back and swayed back and forth. She looked stunning in the dress she was wearing, and he had never really thought that Isabella could be so feminine. He felt guilty for thinking it, but he had just never really thought about the prospect of having feelings for her.
“No offense dude, but you’re sweating pretty bad. Is it too hot?”
Jeremy woke up from his daydream. “No, sorry, I’m sorry. I just…Aden said something to me earlier and I’m having a hard time getting it out of my head.”
“What did that fucker say?” Isabella said, clearly irritated.
“Well, um, he just suggested to me that I like you or something, which is pretty stupid because you’re my friend and you would never like me. Just forget it, I’m being stupid.”
Isabella’s irritation melted very quickly. “You like me?”
“I, um…I don’t know. You’re really smart and I think you’re a really cool person. Just, until Aden suggested it I’d never really thought about it before. He said that I liked you but that you don’t like me.”
To Jeremy’s surprise Isabella smiled. “So it has nothing to do with the fact that I have boobs in this dress?”
Jeremy frowned. “Bella, seriously.”
“Just kidding. I think you’re a cool person too, Jay, and I actually really appreciate you telling me that.”
Jeremy nodded. “So you don’t like me?”
Isabella smiled. “I don’t think so, at least not in that way. But hey, we’re fifteen, we have a whole future ahead of us. What do you say to sticking around and being my best friend?”
“Best friend?” Jeremy asked, unable to hide his shock
Isabella nodded. “Yeah, best friend. You’re all the best friend’s I’ve ever had. I would never want to lose that.”
Jeremy smiled. “Me neither.”
“Hey guys!” Lana motioned from the sides. “Come here.”
Jeremy and Isabella walked from the dance floor to the sides to meet with Aden and Lana. After finding a quieter location Lana spoke up again.
“Aden and I were thinking, it really sucks that Tia is missing out on this. What do you guys think of leaving early and stopping by her house to say hi?”
Isabella nodded. “Let’s get out of this hell hole, everyone’s just staring like we’re a freak show anyway.”

* * * * *

While the four teenagers got ready to leave the dance Tia Bennett was experiencing a much different situation. With tears streaming down her face she hugged her blanket close to her body and tried desperately to forget the world. Her depression was deep and she felt the ache in her heart, body and mind as she gently rocked back and forth with her blanket.
“I can’t do this” She thought to herself. “I can’t, God, I am so sorry.”
She was crying so hard her throat hurt and she couldn’t breath out of her nose, yet she felt nothing but the pain in her mind.
“He knows.” She thought. “He knows and now he’s going to make me tell everyone. What will my parents think of me? What will my friends think of me? What does God think of me? Dear God what will I do with this baby? What will my school think when they see me?”
It was a truth that she had been denying for a long time. She cried harder and rocked faster, hugging her knees to her chest. She couldn’t breath, couldn’t think about anything except that it was her fault. She was bringing an illegitimate child by her Uncle into the world and what would life be like for the child? If she gave it up for adoption what would it think later in life when it found out where it came from? What kind of parents would adopt a child coming from such a perverted background? What kind of life would the child have? Would it have health problems?
So many questions and yet her only answer became only more cloudy. Her mind felt like it would explode as the reality of everything settled like wildfire across every pore of her body. She felt trapped, she felt alone. She felt like her life was being sucked out of her body slowly and painfully and she started losing hope. It wasn’t worth it, to feel this way. She needed to get away. She couldn’t bear this for one second more.
Without a second thought, her eye caught her window, which rested on the second story of her house. Everything became temporarily clear. It made more sense than anything else, as notions of purgatory left her mind and the clarity of feeling nothing became more appealing than anything else. She longed for the freedom from her mind, from her pain. There was nothing more that she wanted at that very moment.

* * * * *

“You’re walking too fast, wait for the short person.” Isabella snapped.
Aden shrugged. “It’s not my fault you’re wearing heals.”
“Oh shut it, they weren’t my idea and it was a formal dance. If I’d known it was going to be that idiotic I wouldn’t have gone.”
“God, will you two stop fighting?” Lana said irritably. “Don’t you have anything nice to say about each other?”
“He’s got a big head and an ego the size of Texas”
Lana frowned. “I haven’t checked my dictionary lately but I’d say that’s not in the definition of nice.”
“TIA!” Jeremy screamed suddenly and the three were taken aback as they looked in the direction Jeremy had begun running towards.
They all saw it at the same time, but it was too late. As they had come around the corner, Jeremy was the first to see as Tia stood in her window frame and began to fall. The group all watched as in only a few seconds she hit the ground about 15 feet below with a sickening thump.
It was as if time slowed down. Lana began to scream and they all ran over to Tia who lay lifeless on the ground. Her arm was twisted in a direction it wasn’t supposed to be and there was blood coming from her head, which was laying in a flowerbed in her front yard.
“Don’t touch her!” Jeremy yelled, already standing over Tia. “She can’t be moved until paramedics get here!”
Lana fumbled with her cell phone and said shakily “I’m calling 911.”
Just then there was a door slamming and voices of Tia’s parents yelling. “What happened?”
“Don’t touch her!” Jeremy yelled again. “We’re calling 911, and she’s still breathing, if we touch her we could do more damage.”
“What happened?” Tia’s father demanded. Tia’s mother instantly began to cry and ran over to her daughter.
Isabella shook her head. “We just came to visit, and then…she just--she fell.”
“She didn’t fall.” Aden said angrily. “She jumped out of that window, she did it on purpose. God damn it, Tia.”
Tia’s mother, still in tears, leaned over her daughter, resisting the urge to touch her. “What do you mean she jumped?”
“Him.” Aden said, pointing at Tia’s Uncle who had slipped out to join the crowd around Tia. “He’s been molesting her since she was in fifth grade when he moved here. She just told me that last night and she promised that she would tell everyone tomorrow but she said she needed time to think. It was too late, though, wasn’t it!”
Suddenly all attention turned to Aden. In the background they could hear Lana’s voice talking to the police and there was a cold wind blowing, but everyone else was suddenly silent.
“What are you talking about, Aden?” Tia’s father said, angrily.
Aden walked up to Tia’s uncle, ignoring Tia’s father and so angry he could barely contain himself. “Did you know she’s pregnant? Did you know you got her pregnant? Did you know she thought it was her fault? That she blamed herself for all of this? She thought she was a sinner because of what you did! She did this because of YOU!”
Tia’s uncle backed up slowly as Aden approached him and almost instantly began running. Without a second thought, Tia’s father began running after him and Tia’s mother started crying harder. Aden looked overly distraught, pacing back and forth beside Tia.
“Aden,” Isabella said softly, approaching him. “Calm dow-”
“How am I supposed to calm down?” Aden screamed, tears coming from his eyes. “She could be dead! She could be dead and I knew, I could have stopped this!”
Isabella grabbed his arm and Aden sunk to the ground, his head in his hands. Isabella kneeled down also, holding his shoulders.
“Aden, stop, it’s not your fault, no one could have predicted she would do this.” She said softly, trying to comfort him. Isabella looked up and caught Jeremy’s eye. They exchanged a glance that expressed their mutual shock and confusion. It had all happened so fast and the two of them could only stand, Isabella comforting Aden and Jeremy comforting Mrs. Bennett. Soon there were sirens and fire trucks appeared.

* * * * *
Aden, Isabella and Jeremy sat in the hospital waiting room at three in the morning, waiting to hear from Tia’s mother. Soon after the fire trucks had appeared it didn’t take long for the paramedics to prepare Tia for the ambulance that showed up only a few minutes after. Tia was taken away, and Lana volunteered to stay at the house with Lucy so that Mrs. Bennett, Jeremy, Aden and Isabella could go to the hospital.
After several hours of waiting Mrs. Bennett was invited back to see her daughter, though the three teenagers were not allowed because they weren’t family members. Tia was in a coma, and the doctors had needed to do some emergency surgery for internal bleeding. Other surgeries would be needed for her broken bones including a badly fractured arm, and a broken collarbone. Her injuries were numerous, but it was only to be expected from falling so high.
Still, the doctors seemed to be optimistic. She hadn’t broken her back or neck, and after an MRI there seemed to be no apparent damage to her skull or major brain damage. Tia was young, and the doctors seemed to think that she would wake from her coma and eventually recover.
Isabella put her hand on Aden’s hand. “She’ll be fine, the doctors think she’ll be fine.”
“She won’t be fine.” Aden said softly, not hiding his frustration. “She’ll never be fine. Her wounds might heal, but her mind never will.”
“Hey, man, let’s just think about her waking up for now.” Jeremy said, nudging him. “We can deal with that later.”
Isabella frowned. “Aden, stop blaming yourself. This was not anyone’s fault, especially not yours.”
“It just could have been so different.” He said, avoiding eye contact. “If I’d only told someone when she first told me. She made me promise not to tell anyone, she made me promise to give her a day. It was a day too late.”
“Aden…” Isabella said, shaking her head. “There was nothing you could have done, lets just concentrate on her getting better. Don’t beat yourself up, any one of us would have done the same thing and you know it.”
Aden nodded, but his head wasn’t with her words. He simply stared off into space again, wondering when Tia’s Mom would come out and give them another update.