Chapter 31

When monday rolled around, I had forced myself to have one solid meal a day. It wasn't helping my throat, per say, but it made me feel better mentally. It still hurt to eat soft foods but drinking was no longer a problem.





My vagina still hurt like a mother fucker and I felt like Finn was my nanny all weekend. I told him I could be left alone but he refused to believe that after friday nights incident at my home. Although, I did manage to force him to go home for two hours to gather his homework and clothes and all his other shit. I guess his father was never home enough to care where Finn was.



Seems we have that in common.



I felt kind of pathetic having Finn have to help me, but there was nothing I could do about it. In reality, he was more there just to keep me company. Of course I was still in some pain, but I could do everything I usually did on my own, just a little slower.



One thing Finn had been right about was the bruising. When I saw myself in the mirror the next day, I almost puked. No wonder that kiss didn't happen.



My face wasn't bad actually, I had a gash on my eyebrow and my lip with a slight bruise on my jaw. Luckily there were no black eyes. My neck is what scared the crap out of me. I looked like a dead body from the morge. It was bad. Deep purple and blue banded my neck with especially dark imprints where Ryan's thumbs had pressed down. This would last two weeks minimum.



By Monday, they had actually darkened. It was almost impossible to cover them with makeup. I had to actually wake up before school to do my face and neck instead of my usual ten minute approach. That usually involved throwing on clothes, brushing my hair and teeth and then walking out the door with a banana. I had no one to impress.



Except maybe Finn. But I still didn't know what I thought about my feelings for him. Was he incredibly good looking? Yes. Was he my best friend? Yes. If anything, in light of recent events I would say in the past few weeks he had surpassed Sam in the best friend zone. Did I want him romantically? I have no idea.



Either way, I spent way to much time trying to naturally conceal my bruises. Once they were mostly covered, I opted for a scarf because it was early December. Finn had slept over at my house again. I liked his company but I told him that tonight he was going home. I didn't need a babysitter.



Granted, I woke up screaming again on Sunday night, or should I say Monday morning. It was about 2am and I awoke again with Finn hovering above me. The only difference was that he wasn't gripping my arms like death. He must have expected it at this point and instead gently tried to shake me awake.



On Sunday they arrested the three boys after a push from my lawyer. I had to hire my dad's lawyer but he wouldn't know. I was 18 and a trust fund baby. There was no way he could know. Either way, Finn and I had to identify them separately in a lineup. Obviously, we were correct. Their bail hearings were this morning and I didn't want to see my lawyers text.



Instead, Finn drove me to school. Upon entering it seemed like the Principal and Coach were waiting for us because as soon as we stepped into the main entrance, the security guard approached the two of us and motioned to the office doorway where they both stood with crossed arms.



I side glanced at Finn who subconsciously shifted his hands to hide his busted knuckles. "We have no other choice." I muttered under my breath. Finn nodded slightly and we approached the office.



"Ms. Mason." The principal greeted. "Mr. Riley." He spoke while his eyes drifted to Finn's hands. "Coach Wilson and I need to have a word with you two. If you could come into my office." He gestured with a smile that didn't reach his face.



I walked past him and into his office with Finn behind me. When I heard the door close, I settled into my seat and dropped my backpack on the floor to my right. Principal Gaurino was sitting down and Coach was pulling up a chair when I spoke up.



"It depends what the words will be about. I might have to call my lawyer, Mr. Gaurino." I said and crossed my arms while leaning back in the chair slightly.



"I assure you, it is nothing to get worked up about." He responded while placing his elbows on the desk and interlocking his fingers. He turned his dark brown eyes to Finn. "Mr. Griffin. Two students from New Canaan high reported being assaulted by you."



I had thrown a punch and a kick yet I hadn't been reported. It seemed odd until you consider the fact that by claiming I assaulted them unprovoked would mean lying under oath when it came time to prosecute.



"And were you aware of why the supposed 'assault' took place?" I asked, getting suddenly defensive. I didn't give them a time to respond before I snapped at them. "It was defense."



"Self defense is different than defense, Ms. Mason." The Principal responded. Coach looked like he wanted to jump to my defense but couldn't. He wouldn't challenge the Principle in front of a student. Luckily, Finn jumped to his own defense.



"Actually," He interjected casually. "Defense of another person facing imminent threat is justified by law. I was defending a person who was being raped with a reasonable amount of force. Both my parents are lawyers, don't make me call them. That's why your here isn't it?" He looked at Coach. "To suspend me from sports? Try it. I dare you. Your office will be swarming with lawyers suing defamation." Finn was leaning forwards now with a furious look on his face and a crease between his brows as he brought them together in anger.



Besides the point where I internally cringed when rape was mentioned, seeing Finn get all technical and lawyer-y was hot.



"Mr. Riley, it's an alleged rape."



"I'm pretty sure a woman being held against a wall while she screams for help while being strangled and sexually violated counts as rape, assault, and attempted murder if we want to get technical."



Okay. Murder seems to be pushing it....but I see the point.



Gaurino's eyes glared at Finn with everything he was but Finn showed no indication that it bothered him, instead staring back with a now blank face.



"Moving on for now," he attempted to switch the subject by turning his attention to me. "Ms. Mason, you are being suspended from Boy's Lacrosse indefinitely, effective immediately."



My eyes went wide. "What rules have I broken?" I demanded in an outburst of furry.



"Calm down. You won't be able to play until you heal from your....situation, anyway." Gaurino tried to reason hesitantly.



Now my face twisted with rage the way Finn's has just seconds ago. "Let's not dance around the words here. I was raped. Second of all, vaginal tares take seven days to heal. I'm cleared to play Friday. I didn't give birth to a fricking baby. Third of all, my bruising is almost gone and my throat has no problems breathing. I can play sports in four days." I said confidently. I could almost feel every man in the room flinch when I said 'vaginal tares'. Grow the fuck up.



"Either way, this school can still kick you off the team." The Principal replied confidently.



"That's discrimination." Finn jumped in.



"Discrimination? She's a woman on a man's team. Kicking her off is hardly discrimination." He replied incredulously.



"Try proving that to a jury. I was on the team and proved to be one of the best players on said team, enough so that I was invited to Olympic trials. I was accepted onto the team with no quelms about my gender. To kick me off for being a female qualifies as discrimination because it was never a deciding factor before. This is victim blaming and I won't stand for it. Kick me off the team and I'm calling my lawyer and suing for discrimination and defamation." I was on the edge of my seat and seething by now. My muscles were ridged and my teeth clenched. I was about ready to call my lawyer faster then I've ever called anyone.



Finn and I could both sue for defamation. We were both innocent and being kicked off the team could cause colleges and the US Olympic team to withdraw their offers. If we had really good lawyers, we could even argue they are ruining our almost definant professional careers as lacrosse players.



My eyes glanced at Coach who was sitting like an obedient dog, not sure what side to take. Coach liked us so I couldn't imagine him aiding with the Principle, but he also didn't want to loose his job. My eyes flicked back to Gaurino. His fists were clenched and there was a flush creeping up his neck. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see the pleased look on Finn's face. He though we had won this one. I suppose we had, unless the school wanted to be dragged to court and have its reputation ruined on national television.



It was at that moment that I realized how fortunate I was to have money. So many people would have to take this sitting down, but my parent was able to make sure I was well off. That meant the world right now, to me at least.



"Fine." Gaurino gritted out with clenched teeth and a reddening face. "Griffin, you're in. Sylvia, you can play on friday. Now get out of my office."



He didn't have to tell us twice.



Period one had started by now, so we both received passes from the front desk and left the office. After a second, Finn spoke up. "You know, you being all aggressive is a total turn on." He said. I turned to my right and looked up at him to see the smirk on his lips.



I bumped my shoulder into his arm and smiled. "I could say the same thing, 'Mr. My parents are both lawyers'."



He laughed lightly as we continued to walk down the abandoned hallway. Finn had his hands in his navy lacrosse shorts pockets with a light blue and navy lanyard hanging out of the left pocket. He had on white Yeezy boosts and a white Vineyard vines T-shirt. Finn looked like such a stereotypical lacrosse douche that it was hard not to acknowledge. Although it did look good. I couldn't argue that.



Finn must have felt my eyes on him because he turned his head to me and asked, "What are you thinking about?"



I replied without hesitation. "How much of a classic lacrosse bro you are. You're basically the stereo type." His face looked unsure but I laughed and continued. "No, think about it. You live on the beach in the North East. All your friends play lacrosse except for Al who is a girlfriend of your friend. You're an asshole to everyone but your friends. We all collectively get drunk on beer as a team on the regular. Your hair is a little longer than usual. You dress like a lacrosse bro and I can name atleast five slutty girls who I know for a fact you've slept with." I laughed before getting serious. "Just admit it. You were born to be a Lacrosse Douche. I mean, you are captain of the team..."



Finn rolled his eyes and muttered something that I didn't catch.



"Don't sass me for speaking the truth." I laughed and bumped my shoulder with him again.



Finn opened his mouth to say something when my phone vibrated in my hand. Without thinking, I glanced at it and my heart dropped, despite the fact that I knew it was coming. My feet stopped moving and Finn's did too as he spun around when he realized I wasn't next to him anymore.



I just starred at the message for a long few seconds. I was vaguely aware of Finn asking me what happened before I responded weakly. "All three of them posted bail. $30,000 for Jack, as per average for rape. $25,000 for Coleman, and $500,000 for Ryan for attempted murder. He got out on a bond." I muttered. My lawyer was intent on charging them aggressively.



Ryan was being charged for assault, attempted homicide, and sexual assault. I thought attempted homicide was a reach, but Ryan had threatened my life and made attempts at doing so. Had Finn not intervened, then it could have gone further. My lawyer thought he could easily prove it. Jack was being charged for rape, sexual assault, and assault. Coleman (who's real name was Jeffery) was only being charged with sexual assault and assault.



I was so busy being lost in my mind that I didn't notice my phone slip out of my hand and hit the schools tile floor, nor did I notice a lone tear fall down my right cheek or Finn's arms wrap around me comfortingly.



I knew this moment was coming, but that knowledge didn't make me feel any better when the time actually came.