In Your Arms by Rebeca Ruiz Page A

Alex into a bloody pulp when he found out what he did. Cops arrived at the house, took Alex to the hospital, and Tanner to the police station.”
                  I closed my eyes. I wanted to wake up from this nightmare. This could not be happening to me, but it was.
                  “Alex is with his parents, and a lawyer. They're going to press charges. Also, Alex is going to jail for what he did to you.”
                 
                  It was a week after I got released from the hospital. I talked with a counselor at school, I couldn't return to classes, so the teachers are emailing me lectures, and I just have to go to the testing center for tests.
                  Tanner's lawyer got a hold of me. I hadn't gone to visit Tanner at his house because I couldn't face him. At school, he was just gone for personal leave. He hadn't been charged yet. As for Alex, he was out as well, but couldn't be near me, so also not at school.
                  I sat in front of Tanner. He looked...bad. He couldn't look at me in the eye and he looked like he had lost serious weight in the last week.
                  “I have only asked you to love me, Ashton. So asking you this, it's really hard for me. I love you so much, and I don't want you to do this. My lawyer has set up a meeting with Alex's lawyer, and you. They want you to repent, so I can keep my record clean and get drafted next year.” I'm pretty sure I was frozen. “I can't pay for another school, I'll lose my scholarship and go to jail. You can always afford to go to another school to avoid Alex-” I stopped listening to him.
                  He wasn't serious was he? I could afford to go to another school? I realize in this moment that Tanner does not really care for me. He would never ask me this. Tanner only cares about his football career. Someone who loved me would never say that to me or ask that much of me. I earned my right to come to Northwestern, I have an IQ of 169, and I worked my butt off for myself. But I don't need this. I can barely be at school without seeing pity in their eyes, everyone knew. Everyone knew that I just ruined Tanner's career. I can never go back, ever.
                  “Fine. I'll go to the meeting.” He didn't know this then, but the relationship was definitely over forever.
                  He looked hopeful.
                  I didn't.
     
                  Alex's lawyer slid the check over to me. Alex's dad, the senator, needs this to stay quiet. They won't press charges against Tanner if I deal with this quietly. The senator has a lot of pull to seal these records and about how we deal with them.
                  “Take the money, Ashton. Sign the papers.” I signed them.
                  I knew it was the wrong thing to do, but I had to do it. I couldn't ruin Tanner's career, and I barely remember what Alex did to me. I had to move on from this. Alex and I were sworn from ever talking about this with anyone, Tanner was a part of this deal as well. If he talked, I could go straight to the police and file formal charges against him, and if I talked, I'd owe him double the money they paid me off with.
                  My parents knew nothing of this. I couldn't go to them with this, they'd make it public, they’d make my life public. I couldn't afford that. I needed a clean slate. I just hope they understand why I won't be going back to Northwestern.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 14
    Present...
    Ashton Pennington
                  “...I know it's been a rough year, but I just want to make amends, Ashton. I still love you, you were my best friend for a year and a half, and I still want you in my life even if we can't be together. Just...please call me back when you get a chance...End of new messages.”
                  I