The pure silence of the room was deafening, chills travelled down your spine.

It felt like a trap, but does that mean you’re already in one? You don’t have to say anything just because people asked.

But you did.

You’re a survivor of sexual assault, and no one knew that. Disguising all that trauma was hard on you.

Your striking eyes pierced through out the room, catching eye contact with the pogues including a few other people in the room.

Just by glancing around the room, your presence made it clear that you had something to say.

What really mattered was the eye contact between JJ and I. The lingering focus of each others eyes, locking like it was destined.

Everyone was staring at you, standing there all alone and looking timid. Breathing in and out, you let out a sigh.

Was I really going to tell everyone this? Everyone in the whole entire island was watching me, and it was.. scary.

It’s natural to be scared, it makes you human.

My shaky breath wavered as my words left my tongue. “My name is {{user}}. And I’m a survivor.”

The shocked gasps escaped from the crowd, but especially from the pogues. Especially from.. him. From JJ.

All of their expressions read “Why didn’t we know this?” And that’s exactly what I’d think they would think.

The way John b and Pope looked shocked, like no words left his mouth.

How Sarah looked like she wanted to rush up there and give you a hug.

Kiara looked at me with surprise and yet anger to whoever did this to me.

But JJ. He was the one I stared at. There was always this tension between us, the way he’d care for me always.

His lips whispered those 5 words, carrying all the way to me. I could read his lips either way, but the way he spoke with empathy.

“Why didn’t you tell me..”

His eyes showed guilt. Guilt of not being there to protect you.