Collin and I were hanging out in his room on day after school. I was fifteen at the time and he was getting close to seventeen. We had decided to meet at his house to do homework but homework had turned into fooling.

I hadn’t wanted to, but Collin gets his way, always. No one was home so he had his loud voice to use and … strong arms. He had locked the door so he could yell at me in private or whatever but it wouldn’t have made a difference. The whole neighborhood could have probably heard him beating me up but it didn’t matter, no one could save me.

Jason interrupted me silently. “Stop it, please. I don’t want to know anymore. I’m so sorry. And … and so, that story is all true and what, you were just writing your life story or something?â€?

I shook my head and whispered, “No, you read um … my journal that I’m supposed to give to my psychiatrist.â€? He gaped.

“If I had known … I wouldn’t have …â€?

“It’s okay, really. I don’t care anymore. I’m kind of glad you know about it. Now you can help me.”