Falling Behind (Falling Series)

by Dee Avila

  I nodded; I understood I couldn’t get off scot free. “What’s going to happen with Josh?”

  Mr. Gustin let out a rugged sigh. “Well, Officer Lemas informed me he was being investigated for drug distribution. They had enough evidence, along with assault on Reese today, to arrest him.” He leaned forward in his chair, fixing me to my seat with his glare. “If Reese planned to press charges against him for what he did to her, now would be the time for her to come forward. The more they have on him, the longer he will be put away. I need you to stress this to her. Get her to open up about what happened and go to the legal authorities. Please, Titus.”

  He was asking me to do what I already had planned on doing. This would be an easy promise to keep. “I will, I promise.”

  After school I waited for Reese, next to her locker. I knew that I wasn’t supposed to still be on school grounds, but I knew that she would be anxious to know what happened. “Hey.”

  “So, how bad?” The apprehension in her voice twisted my gut. I hated that she worried about me.

  “They arrested Josh, fifteen minutes ago. They ended up with a laundry list to arrest him with.”

  “What are they going to do about you?” Concern filled her eyes and pinched her brow together, causing the area in-between to pucker.

  “I’m technically not supposed to be on the property. So, if you could hurry up and grab your books so we can go, I would appreciate it.” I smiled, trying to ease my words. “They suspended me for the rest of today and tomorrow.”

  “Ty.” She ran her hand up my forearm. “Thank you, for everything.” She grabbed one last book, simultaneously shoving it in her bag and shutting her locker door. “Let’s go.”

  We climbed into my mom’s car and headed toward her house. No one was home. “Can I come in for a bit?”

  “Of course, you can help me with my Spanish homework.” She slid out of the car, shutting the door behind her.

  I laughed. She knew I sucked at Spanish. I would be better to help her with art or Civics. But she was smart, she didn’t need my help; so I gathered she wanted my company. “If you say so.”

  We got inside and sat on the couch. “I really don’t feel like working on homework, just yet. Can we just sit for a bit?”

  I grabbed her hand, looking at her palm. He caused these scrapes. Thank God that’s all he caused, this time. “Yeah, I need to talk to you, anyway.”

  She twisted on the couch so she was facing me, her elbow resting on the back of the couch. She never said to go ahead, so I just started talking. “Josh is being investigated for drug distribution. The officers were able to add assault on you to the charges. Mr. Gustin suggested that if there was more to your story with Josh, that you should speak up, now. The more they have on him, the longer he will be locked up for. Don’t say anything right now. Just think about it, okay?”

  She nodded her head. I could see her blinking furiously and swallowing. I assumed she was trying not to cry. She needed to do this, but I couldn’t force her. If I did, I would be no better than him. “I’ll talk to Mr. Wait and see what the best thing to do is. I know I need to press charges, but I don’t know how to go about it. He’s been through this same thing with his sister. That’s how he had an idea of what was going on with me. His sister was being forced by her boyfriend and eventually ended up pregnant with the bastard’s kid.” She looked away lost in her own thoughts for a second. “I’ll do it, Ty, I just want Mr. Wait’s help.”

  I grabbed her hand, rubbing circles on the back of it with my thumb. “Thank you. Reese, I”—

  The door opened and her mom walked in. She saw us sitting there staring at each other. I had no idea what she saw; though the look on her face was full of understanding and relief. I wonder what she thinks she sees. –“I gotta go. Mom’s been weird, lately. I want to go check on her.”

  She squeezed my hand, again. “Call me later.”

  I headed home. I was going to tell her. I was going to ruin everything by telling her I wanted more with her. Now is not the time! When was it going to be the time? Prom was right around the corner—actually next week, I think. I wanted her to go with me. I didn’t know if either of us would be able to go through with it, but I wanted to ask her. Tomorrow. I would ask her, tomorrow.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Reese

  Mom came in just as Titus was getting ready to say something important. I wish she wouldn’t have interrupted. I wanted to know what he had to say more than anything. She came over and sat next to me after Titus left.

  “How are you doing after today?”

  I looked at her, confused. How did she know? “Huh?”

  “Mr. Gustin called to inform us that Josh was arrested after assaulting you, today He also told us about some other charges and about a restraining order you had started against him. I wish you would have come to me with this, Reese. I could have helped you deal with it. So, how are you?”

  “Mom, I’m glad he was arrested. My heart hurts that I was with someone that was doing and distributing drugs. I wasted so much time and lost so much because of him.”

  “Do you want to talk about it, Hun?”

  “I want to. I’m just so ashamed.”

  “Oh Reese, there is nothing to be ashamed about. I have a feeling I know what happened, but tell me so we can do what we need to. I will not judge you.”

  I went into detail, without going into detail, about my relationship with Josh. “I felt like I had to keep having sex with him because I told him I loved him. He made me feel like I had to.”

  Mom cried, silently the tears flowed. “Reese, that is”—

  ─“Date rape. I know. Now. Mom, to me that isn’t the worst of it. I mean, don’t get me wrong; that’s bad and I want to press charges, but he also threatened my life. He was just trying to scare me, but”—

  ─“Stop right there. Do NOT make excuses for him. Please.”

  “I won’t. He was mad at me one day and drove out to the White Oak to force himself on me. When I told him I really wanted to come home, he pulled the e-brake and slid the truck around pinning my door against a telephone pole. I lost it. I started having a panic attack. He was trying to force himself on top of me. He grabbed my thighs running his hands up and that’s when I started screaming, ‘home’. I think my nearly blacking out scared him back to his senses. He brought me home and apologized, profusely.”

  “Reese, we need to talk to the sheriff. We WILL be pressing charges.” She held my hands with one of hers and swiped her tears away with the other. There had been so much crying for everyone, lately. I was really tired of it.

  “That’s not all. The night of the formal, Titus found him forcing me to have sex with him, again. If it wasn’t for Titus interrupting, he would have forced me to do it in the peach trees, during the afterparty”

  “Thank God for Titus.” She released me and grabbed for her phone. “I’m calling the sheriff’s department.”

  Within a half hour, there were two sheriffs sitting in my living room, taking down my statement. I had to re-live the whole thing over, yet again. In horrid detail. In front of my mom. I was mortified. I cried through the entire process. The officers said they would be in touch with us, and most likely Titus, since he witnessed the last rape and assault.

  I was relieved that I told mom, and the sheriffs, even if it was horrific. I jumped in the shower, washing away all memory of Josh and his abuse. I took a second to cry over Candice before washing that pain away, too, and getting out clean and refreshed. I was ready to start healing.

  All I needed was Candice’s parents to return home from their trip so I could get approval for the assembly. Stand Up To Violence needed to happen. I knew they would be on-board. Slipping on my soft pink pajamas, I sunk into my bed, waiting for Titus to call.

  Fifteen minutes later, my phone rang. “Hello?”

  “Reese, how are you?” Titus’ voice sounded strained. He had to know, already.

  “Good. Better now that I’m talking
to you.” Crap I didn’t mean to say that aloud. “I mean better, I talked to my mom and told her everything. We started the process to press charges.”

  “I know, your mom called me and my mom, so we wouldn’t be surprised when the police came, asking questions.”

  “Thank you, Titus. Hope it was okay that I said your name.”

  “Of course, it was. I told you I am here for you.” He sighed into the phone. “Reese?”

  “Yeah?” Something was different about the way he said my name. It made my stomach twist with anticipation.

  “Prom’s next weekend.” Crap! How did I forget prom? Do I even want to go? “I understand if you don’t feel like going to it; but I was thinking, maybe we, uh, hell, can I come over?”

  Huh? “What?”

  Titus chuckled on the other end of the line. “I know that made no sense. I want to talk to you, in person. Can I come over for just a minute?”

  “I’m sure it’s fine, but let me double check.” I covered the phone with my pillow and ran into the living room. “Mom, can Ty come by for a few minutes?”

  I expected surprise to fill her face, but nothing but a warm, knowing smile was there. “Sure.”

  That was weird. I shook it off, “Thanks, Mom.”

  I grabbed my phone and couldn’t help smiling. “Come on over.”

  I went outside to wait for Titus. He pulled up less than three minutes later. Smiling, I waited for him on the porch chair. He slid into the chair opposite me, pulling it close. “Hi.”

  I smoothed down my wet hair and glanced down at my pajamas. I’d never cared if Titus saw me in them before, but right now I felt under-dressed. I questioned what it meant. “Hey.”

  “So, as I was trying to spit out on the phone…” His deep laugh did something to me and he grabbed my hand. “Prom is next weekend. Did you want to go?”

  I shook my head. I knew I couldn’t. “I can’t.”

  “I don’t think I can, either. What I suggest. No wait, that’s all wrong.” He ran a hand through his own wet hair.

  For the first time ever, he made me nervous. I grabbed a small section of hair and started twirling it. The faster my heart rate went, the faster I twirled my hair. I waited. I didn’t want to interrupt him and I wasn’t sure what to say, just yet.

  “I am screwing this up. Let me try again?” He stated it as a question, so I nodded. “Okay, Reese, I really don’t feel like either one of us can handle prom, this year; would you go out to dinner, and maybe a movie, with me, instead?”

  Huh? Did he just ask me out? I sat there, a small smile playing on my lips as I watched his smile grow and then slowly drop. I realized it was taking me too long to answer. “Yes, I’m sorry. As a date or two friends?”

  “I didn’t clarify that, did I?” He laughed again, sending chills down my spine and goose bumps covering my arms and legs. “As a date, Reese.”

  “Yes.”

  He stood up, pulling me up with him, hugging me to his chest. “Good night.” He kissed the top of my head and left.

  I was going on a date with Titus. I was smiling as I shyly waved goodbye as he drove away. On the inside, I was dancing a jig.

  Saturday, the day of the prom and my first date with Titus, was here before I knew it. I stood in my room, staring into my closet. Nothing looked right. I wanted something cute and new. I hadn’t wanted to ask mom to spend money on a new outfit, though. They’d had enough to deal with, lately.

  “Something wrong Hun?” Mom stuck her head in the door. “Titus will be here soon and you’re not ready.”

  I groaned. “I know. I can’t find anything cute that I didn’t wear out with Josh or doesn’t have a bad memory associated with it.”

  “Good thing I stopped by your favorite store on the way home.”

  I swung around looking at the Forever 21 bag hanging from her fingertips. “Mom, you’re a lifesaver. Thank you.”

  “You don’t even know what it is, yet.” She laughed as she sat down on my bed, watching me.

  I pulled out a short teal dress that had a long sheer overlay. It was gorgeous and lined with crystals. It was strapless, but had a black crop jacket with it. The crystals started out think on the top of the chest and faded down growing heavier on one side at the hip. The sheer overlay gathered at a cluster of crystals on my hip and the top layer flowed down to my ankles the front open to see the short skirt of the dress. “I love it.”

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Titus

  I finally did it. I finally asked Reese out, and she said yes. Tonight was the night. I had just gotten out of the shower and was standing in my bedroom with a towel wrapped around my waist, pulling out a pair of dark-washed jeans when I noticed a new black button down shirt hanging in my closet. Mom. I smiled, pulling the shirt out. I would need to thank her for it. It was perfect. Black with thin teal pin stripes and a teal tie. I wouldn’t wear the tie, but the shirt was nice.

  I slipped it on, along with the jeans, and ran some gel through my hair, leaving it sticking up at odd angles. I slid on my chucks and headed out the door. Mom was at work, so I didn’t have to worry about thanking her, right now, or answering the billion questions she would have asked.

  I love my mom, but sometimes she was a little much. I was nervous enough as it was. I needed to relax and not screw this night up. I’d waited too long. Reese and I were finally free to be together. I wanted nothing more than for this night to be perfect.

  I knocked on Reese’s door. I’d brought her a corsage. All the prom experience minus the limo and the prom. Mr. Milson answered the door. “Hey Titus, since when do you knock?”

  “Since I’m here to take your daughter out?”

  Mr. Milson chuckled. “Alright, well come on in. I don’t think she’s quite ready, yet. Have a seat. Do you want something to drink?” He shook himself. “You know where everything is. Just be careful with her, okay?”

  Before I could answer him Reese yelled, “Dad!”

  I looked up as she came out of the hallway, entering the dining room. She was beautiful. I laughed and knew our mom’s must have coordinated our outfits for the evening when I saw the beautiful teal dress she wore. She was smokin’ hot. The color made her eyes pop and it definitely showed off her curves. I didn’t spend too much time admiring her body, though; I didn’t want her dad pissed off at me. I hadn’t had a chance to sit down, so I walked straight over to her. I held the white corsage in my hands. “May I?” I lifted it for her to see.

  She smiled and nodded, holding her wrist out for me to slide the flower on. “Thank you. Hang on.” She shuffled quickly to the refrigerator, pulling out a boutonniere that matched. “I think our mom’s wanted us to experience prom, even if we weren’t going.” She giggled and it made my heart swell. It had been a while since I heard her laugh.

  “You look amazing.” It seemed I would be stumped for words tonight. Five words. That’s all I’ve said to her.

  “Thanks, you look pretty amazing, yourself.” She linked her arm with mine. “You ready?”

  I opened the car door and helped her in. We chatted all the way to the Elephant Bar in Fresno. The restaurant was supposed to be good. Mom raved about it. I hoped Reese liked it. When we got there, I got out and asked her to wait. Rushing around to her side, I opened the door for her. “Let’s go eat.”

  Dinner was easy going and fun. The weirdness of being on a date finally wore off when Reese slammed her little fists on the table. “Okay, Ty, this is it. No more. If we don’t relax and have a good time, neither of us will want to do this, again. This is stupid. We’re still us. We can still talk about all the same things. I don’t want to walk on eggshells. I want to be me. I want you to be you. It’s who I’ve been falling in love with for years.” Her eyes went wide and her mouth snapped shut. I busted up laughing. She was in love with me.

  “I love you, too, Reese, I have for a very long time.” She glared at me. I guess because I laughed.

  “Why didn’t you tell me?” Crap! Now I have to
tell her about Candice.

  “It’s a long story. Do you care if we skip the movie and just drive around, instead?”

  “Not at all. Because you are not getting out of explaining the reason why you are just now telling me that you love me.”

  I took a bite of steak. “I promised Candice. Last year, I promised her I wouldn’t date you, this year. She asked me to promise her because she couldn’t handle it if we stopped being friends. She said she would need us both this year.”

  She sighed and reached across the table to squeeze my hand. “She was adamant that she would need us both this year. I guess she was right.

  “I’m sorry I never told you. I’m sorry you had to go through everything you did, this year, just to get here with me. I’m ready to go. I want to go somewhere and just talk. Where do you want to go?”

  “Black Bridge.”

  We drove through Laton and headed down toward the bridge. I pulled on to the dirt lane and put the car in park. “Do you want to sit in here or go out there?”

  “Can we sit on the hood?”

  I smiled and nodded. Mom kept a blanket in the trunk. I got out, went around and opened her door, helping her out. After getting the blanket, I spread it on the hood of the car. Helping Reese get up I waited for her to get situated before climbing up next to her. We lie back on the hood staring at the stars.

  “I’m glad we’re finally here.” She entwined her fingers with mine, closing her eyes.

  I followed suit. “Me too.”

  We talked about everything under the sun. Or moon. The moon was full and we were parked on a levy. I had an idea. It may not be prom but it could be our prom. “Hang on I’ll be right back.”

  Her soft voice startled me. “Okay.”

  I plugged in my iPod and searched for a long, slow song. Surely I owned one. “Reese, I’ve waited months to get to dance with you. Will you dance with me?”