Page 7 of Isolation

Raven

I stare blankly at the six most important figures of my life standing in front of me and am very aware of the oneunimportantfigure next to me who is the cause of this awful predicament.

I am standing at the doorway leading to Milo’s room. We just had sex. To be exact, he forced himself on me. I fought a lot, but I stopped fighting midway through, like always, which is what makes this situation that much more hateful.

The moment we were done, I swung the door open to Milo’s room to make my grand exit. As soon as I opened the door, I came face to face with my parents, Milo’s parents, Mia and Reid. I have nothing but a bedsheet wrapped around my body. I am completely naked underneath it. Milo managed to put on some gym shorts before joining me at the doorway. His filthy arms are around my shoulders as we face off with our entire family.

This is bad. This is so bad.

I cannot verbalize or form any words right now. Which is alright, because neither can anyone else. Six pairs of eyes are glued on our near-naked state. Everyone is stunned into silence. Everyone except Milo. Predicable!

“I am sure everyone is confused,” Milo starts calmly. “We didn’t mean for you guys to find out like this.”

We?

“Please wait for us downstairs,” Milo continues. “We’d like to talk to the whole family and address all of your concerns. Raven and I just need a few minutes to get ourselves together.”

Despite Milo’s request, no one makes a move. Milo is a natural-born leader. He can easily assert himself without being forceful, so people gravitate towards him. Everyone, except Reid, trusts his judgment and obeys his orders without arguing back. This includes both of our parents.

Milo always knows best.Under any other circumstance, I would have loved it if people didn’t immediately bend to Milo’s will. But in this situation, I need everyone to be gone. I am silently begging them to comply with what he is saying. I would much rather be locked in that room with Milo again than be out here facing what’s going on.

I want to make this all go away. I want to sink or be buried. This can’t be real!

I am sure the guilt is written all over my face. I can’t make eye contact with anyone. Out of the corner of my eye, I try to watch Reid. His face is turned away, looking at the hallway wall. If only I could read his expression right now. Or better yet, if only I could turn back time.

Why the hell are all of them in front of Milo’s room anyway?

I have to say something to explain, but I don’t even know how to begin.

This is a misunderstanding? I just happened to be naked and wrapped around in nothing but Milo’s bedsheet? I tripped and fell on Milo’s dick?

Uncle Reese is the first to break the silence. “Come on, everyone! Let’s go downstairs and give the kids some privacy. I am sure there is a simple explanation—”

“Simple explanation?” my father’s voice booms out. “Reese, your son is standing half-naked with my daughter. I mean, look at them,” he disgustingly motions towards us. I am mortified. I can’t meet Dad’s eyes, so I keep my head down.

“I am aware, John,” Uncle Reese speaks calmly. “I am sure they’d both like to have the opportunity to explain—”

“Opportunity to explain what?” Dad cuts off Uncle Reese again. “My daughter is not some tramp meant to keep your horny son entertained.”

“Now wait a minute, John,” Tessa chimes in. “I understand you are upset, but there is no need for name-calling.”

“Uncle John,” Milo says coolly. “I’d never see Raven that way. I am sorry you had to find out this way, but I might as well be honest with you. I love her.”

I feel like someone just stabbed me with an ice pick. There is a freezing effect spreading throughout my body. I am nothing but a freezer burn item, void of everything: all thoughts and all feelings. All I can do is watch how this plays out.

Milo’s words seemingly have the same effect on everyone else as well. Everyone is stunned back into silence. It’s completely quiet as his words echo through the hallway.

“How long has this been going on?” Theressa finally speaks.

“We’ll explain everything and answer all of your questions,” Milo says in a sugary-sweet tone. He is back to his polite self now that he hasdefendedmy honor against my father’s words. “We’ll have a serious conversation with the whole family, but not like this. We are going to get dressed and meet you downstairs. In the meanwhile, if it helps to know, this is not some fling. I understand how seriously this impacts our families. Give us a few minutes, and we’ll explain.”

When will this nightmare end?

Mia must notice the misery in my face because she comes to the rescue. For once, Mia doesn’t give any sass or attitude. That’s the thing about her. She can act like a spoiled little princess, but when push comes to shove, she is the only one who always has her shit together. Mia will survive this world. She will survive us all.

“Alright, guys! Let’s give them some privacy to get dressed and wait downstairs. It will be better if we can all sit down...”

Mia trails off as Reid turns around and angrily marches off. His loud footsteps echo as he makes a forceful exit. He is walking towards the staircase. Everyone looks in his direction, but no one makes a move. I stare after Reid, frozen in place.