Healing
Disclaimer: Gif originally posted by me.
Author: @cynicallystiles
Request: Anon: would you do a fic about being dimes little sister (Justin’s?) who was assaulted and standing up during the assembly/ sorry didn’t mean dimes meant someone’s x
Warning: Season 3 spoilers, mention of sexual assault, and cursing.
Notes: Thank you for requesting it, I hope it is somewhat like you imagined anon! Also, I went ahead and did my Justin tag even though it’s not Justin x Reader because it has Justin in it! Please COMMENT/REBLOG if you enjoy!
Pairing: Clay Jensen x Foley!Reader
Masterlist
Words: 1,555
You sat there next to Tyler for moral support at the assembly. Jessica, your brother's girlfriend and the class president, was supposed to be apologizing to another school for the homecoming incident. By incident, that means she organized a protest at the homecoming halftime and inadvertently started a riot.
That night had shocked you. As much as you wanted to support your friends, you couldn't bring yourself to get involved in the violence. So, you watched from the sidelines as they all surged onto the field to fight with the opposing team. Your brother, your friends, and even your boyfriend.
You wish you could say that that's where the consequences ended. With some cuts and bruises, and of course, Zack's broken leg. But, matters got worse from there. Bryce Walker was found dead days later. Murdered. And you and everyone you knew were suspects.
But, Clay had it the worst. He's who they wanted to pin it on. It was absurd, though. Anyone who truly knew Clay, like you do, would know that he isn't capable of doing something so atrocious. That didn't matter. All the 'evidence' was piled against him, and he had little hope that the justice system wouldn't fail him.
That's why you knew that he was going to run. Justin had come to you in a panic at school, whispering urgently about how no one could find Clay. It made you sad; how could he leave for potentially ever without saying goodbye to you. But, you also couldn't blame him. Jail would not be kind to him and you never wished to see him in that sort of pain. So, you pushed down your sadness and hoped that he'd gotten far, far away.
Back to the assembly. Jessica was supposed to be apologizing for that night so many weeks ago. But, she and her survivors' club had other plans. Plans that made Tyler nervous; so in place of Clay, you were there to give him the support and encouragement he needed for this big moment.
"My name is Jessica Davis...and I'm a survivor." She smiles confidently as she looks to the stands for others to come forward and speak their truth. The first ones to do so are from her club, as planned.
She looks to Tyler with an encouraging nod, but he shakes his head. You can see him trembling slightly in fear. Resting a careful hand on his forearm, you whisper to him, "It's okay. Whenever you're ready...we'll be here."
He smiles appreciatively as more people stand up and announce that they're survivors. It spreads beyond her initial group. Girls from the other school and also, others from yours stand up.
Next to you, you can see the struggle on Tyler's face. He wants to be brave, but he can't. That is until he looks toward the opening and closing of the gym doors. You follow his lead and see Clay setting down your brother's gym bag.
They exchange pained and concerned looks. Without warning, Tyler stands next to you. "My name is Tyler Down," he begins shakily, "and I'm a survivor." You reach up and clasp his hand for comfort as murmurs ripple throughout the gym. He looks to Clay who gives him a proud nod.
The confessions continued on. Even another boy from your school spoke up. You were waiting for the right moment, but Clay wasn't supposed to be here. And you hadn't ever told him this small fact from your past because you knew he'd have so much guilt over it. Even though it was long before the two of you met.
There's a pause in the announcements. You look over and see Justin looking at you. Your eyebrows knit together as tears prick at your eyes. With a trembling lip, you watch him stand in uncertainty. He shoves his hands in his pockets as the school goes silent.
"My name is Justin Foley," he swallows nervously and goes on, "and I'm a survivor." A tiny sob escapes your lips and you put your free hand up to cover your mouth. It shocked everyone, even Jessica. You were all too aware of him being a survivor. It was the one thing you wished the two of you didn't share.
In an odd way, though, it made you closer as siblings. But, you couldn't bring yourself to stand anymore. Because while you shared that trauma with Justin, there was also trauma you didn't share with him, and never told him about it. Even though it looked so freeing, admitting that to everyone in spite of his fear.
Another girl behind Justin stands up as he looks back over to you. He nods subtly in encouragement but you slightly shake your head, little tears slipping down your cheeks. You wipe them with your sleeve as you turn to look at Clay.
His eyes were already watching you in concern and your exchange with Justin. Your face crumples a bit, but you know that you have to do this. You want to. It's your turn to take control of your life. So after the last girl finishes, you stand up.
You let go of Tyler's hand and rub your palms nervously on your jeans. Never breaking eye contact with your brother, you take a jagged breath and speak. "My name is y/n Foley...and I'm a survivor." The first part sounded shaky, but your brother gave you the confidence to finish strong.
Tyler pats your back comfortingly and you venture a glance at Clay. He looks heartbroken. And as the gymnasium slowly breaks out in applause, started by your principal, he doesn't hesitate to make his way over to you. Jessica finishes out her speech and everyone converges on the court to chatter with each other.
You hurry down the stairs to meet Clay halfway. He throws his arms around your waist and you do the same around his neck. You cradle the back of his head with one hand, feeling the pressure from his hands press deeply into your back.
Normally, you would joke that he's suffocating you. But, you're so glad that you're seeing him again that you don't want him to loosen up. His muffled whispers against your shoulder almost get drowned out by the mingling.
"I'm so sorry, y/n." You could hear his voice crack and you squeezed him tightly. He turns his head to press a worried kiss into your hair and it eases all your nerves.
Your nose brushes his jacket collar and you reply in relief, "You have nothing to be sorry about. It was a long time ago..."
"No," he says surely as he pulls back, hands still on your waist. "I'm sorry I almost left without seeing you," he says lowly.
Tilting your head to one side, you give him a small smile. "So you're still leaving then?" He hesitates with his mouth parted and you sigh. "I'm coming with you then."
"Y/n, you can't-" he begins to argue as Justin comes up to the two of you.
"I'm so proud of you, little sister," he smiles and pulls you away from Clay. He wraps you up snugly in his arms and you do the same to him.
You breathe deeply. "I'm proud of you too, big brother...but I have some things I need to tell you," you start before pulling back and looking at Clay, "both of you."
Tyler appears, interrupting your train of thought. Clay tells him he's proud of him, causing Tyler to smile brightly. "Also, where the fuck have you been?" Justin starts, realizing that Clay has been there for a minute.
He begins to answer when Jessica comes up, asking if Justin's proclamation was real. "Babe, we gotta go," you say as things are getting chaotic and pull on his hand.
"You're not coming with me," he argues as he shakes his head.
You frown. "Like hell, I'm not," you state. "You jump, I jump. That's the deal, Jensen."
"Woah, woah, woah!" Justin chimes in, hearing your demanding tone. "Neither of you are running! Especially, not you y/n!" Everyone starts in on their arguing and in the distance, the doors fly open.
"Clay Jensen!" Everyone goes silent to see the sheriff and some deputies stepping into the gym. "Clay Jensen, I have a warrant for your arrest for the murder of Bryce Walker."
He struts forward and roughly turns Clay around, reading him his rights as he cuffs him. Tyler steps forward but a deputy places a hand on his chest to stop him. After cuffing him, the sheriff grabs his shoulder meanly and begins to lead him away.
"No! Hey, you can't do this!" You argue sadly and try to go after him.
You feel arms close around you, holding you in place. "Don't make it worse right now, y/n," Justin whispers in your ear. "We'll find a way to fix this."
Tears start flowing down your cheeks as all your nightmares from the past weeks are playing out in front of you. Clay sneaks one last look over his shoulder at you. He sees your tears and his worried features soften into a forced smile.
The last thing you see before the doors close behind them is Clay mouthing 'I love you.'
Justin Tag: @fandomrulesall @crazyfangirrll @elfie6405