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Julie opened her eyes to a dimly lit room she didn't recognize and in a bed she'd never slept in. She felt her world begin to spin as she spiraled into a panic, her breaths quickening and heart pounding, but she calmed down after recalling last night's events.

She sat up, pushing loose hair strands aside and holding her head upon feeling a lingering headache. She glanced around the room and noticed toys on the carpet and a rocking ponyta in the corner by the closet. She then looked down at the purple blanket she sat on and gathered that this was a young girl's room.

Julie pulled out her phone and rubbed her eyes, looking at the time. "Five..." She looked out the window and saw dawn's light begin to break. Her heart hurt. Midnight had to be worried to death, and it was amplified by her lie.

She looked at the door moments later as it opened and saw Devin step in, but he stopped short upon seeing her awake. "Oh, you're up. We've been checking on you all night."

Julie stared with tired eyes. She didn't know what to say.

"I put you in my sister's room because I thought it'd be weird to put you in mine or my parents'." He cleared his throat. "I'll, uh, go get Anna."

Julie watched the door close and lay back on the pillow, sighing. "Midnight..." She should have left the stupid party earlier, or better yet, she shouldn't have gone at all. It created multiple problems and solved none. Julie wouldn't have alcohol or a drug in her system, she wouldn't have a useless contact in her phone, and there would be no potential disruption to her and Midnight's relationship. She could have spent the night studying Lentil and being productive with her lover beside her.

"Hey," Anna said while opening the door. She went and sat on the side of the bed. "I stayed over and barely slept last night. I'm glad you're okay."

She struggled not to shut her eyes again and sleep off the residual effects in her system, speaking softly. "I have classes today."

"Forget them, Julie. You should be glad you aren't missing right now after what you did."

Julie looked at her. "What?" her voice cracked.

"Why did you drink what Justin offered you?"

As much as Julie didn't want to talk about this or receive a lecture, it was an obvious trick that she fell for, looking back. She was more naive than she thought. "I-I don't know... It was a heat-of-the-moment thing. I guess I felt pressured."

"Right. I'm not blaming you in the slightest. Men like that are awful, but what happened last night is how a lot of women get raped or killed. You have to know better."

"I know." She felt tears coming again. Her eyes watered, which she wiped with her sleeve. Anna sounded irritated, almost, but Julie couldn't blame her.

"He was probably waiting for you to leave and hoped you were walking alone. I wouldn't have allowed it since I was going to take you back, but situations like that don't usually end well," Anna sighed. "I'm glad you gave me that look, though. I wasn't going to back down when I had a feeling you were in danger. Why'd he give it to you?"

"After I said I was taken, he did. He said he had eyes on me for a while."

Anna shook her head. "He was plotting it then..." He could have wanted to date Julie, and after she told him off, plan B was to take what he wanted. He sought her out because he must have known she was easy prey. There was no telling how long he'd been watching her. "Devin and I found out who he is last night while you were out. We texted around."

"Does he go to Castelia?" Julie would be paranoid daily if he did, so she hoped he was lying when he said so.

"Used to, years ago. He must have caught wind of the party and came hoping to take a younger teen home. The good news is that people are watching for him now, but we can't get the word out too much or get the police involved. He'd be fucked, but so would we... Anyway, do you feel well enough to walk back to the dorms?"

Julie nodded, wiping her nose and sniffling. So he was just a predator, meaning he could already have gone to multiple parties that young women attended. She wondered how many he'd harmed, and the thought that she could have been one due to her stupidity was horrifying. Julie also hated that he'd get away with this, but at least she was safe.

"Come on."

---

They reached the campus in twenty minutes and were standing by Julie's dorm on a sunny campus that slowly awakened. They'd stopped at a market off campus on the way so Julie could refill on snacks and water, so she was holding two bags.

"I want you to rest today, alright? Please don't worry about your classes. You can get the notes later," Anna said.

"I will." Julie wanted nothing more than to confine herself to her room anyway and couldn't possibly pay attention to a lecture. She wouldn't go out for anything but education for a long while.

"Alright, I'll see you. I'll check up on you later."

She watched Anna walk off. Julie turned and entered the dorm, going to the elevator. What would she even say to Midnight? He deserved some kind of explanation after not seeing her all night. She told him a couple of hours. How could she have done that to him?

Julie took the elevator up and went to her door, taking out her key to unlock it. She opened it to him sitting at the edge of the bed, and felt a knot form in her throat.

He was relieved that she was alive, but where had she been all night? Midnight had barely touched his bowl or water and felt helpless all the hours she hadn't returned. It was one of the longest and most worrisome nights he'd experienced.

Julie shut the door, set the bags down, and went to him, kneeling on the floor before him and looking up. She waited a beat before speaking. "I was dishonest with you..." She raised her hand and held his leg.

His eyes scanned her exhausted face. Midnight knew that much, but he didn't understand why. There was no reason for her to, right? Her business was his. He always thought they were close.

"I'm an awful partner for it. I'm sorry." Being truthful and having good communication was pivotal in a healthy relationship, and Julie didn't think she'd ever screw up this badly. "I went to a party-- a small house one. I met some nice people and hung around, nothing more, but some guy... I guess he'd been watching me, kind of pushed himself onto me, and offered a drink that I stupidly tasted."

She looked down and held back tears, but she was choking up. "A-And he drugged it to take advantage of me, so I had to stay i-in one of the rooms overnight after everyone left. I had people protecting me." Julie shifted her glossy eyes back up to him. "I regret going, and I really regret lying about it. I didn't know what you'd think of me running off to a party... e-especially while I'm with you, but it's no excuse. I promise I'll be honest at all times from now on."

If anything, Midnight was just glad his mate was in one piece. He felt distraught just thinking about someone taking and using her body. She wouldn't have been back for days, or maybe she wouldn't have returned at all, and what would his life become? He'd feel nothing around anyone else and always think about what Julie had to go through or if she were still alive.

Midnight trusted her to go wherever she wanted, but she had to be more careful. "Umbreon," he grinned a little. At least he knew what was likely bothering her the night before.

He pulled his leg away and moved back, walking to the pillow and looking at her. Midnight didn't want her on the floor. She didn't belong there, and it was clear that she needed rest and comfort, which he could provide.

Julie smiled subtly. "Hold on." She stood and undressed by the closet, put on new panties and a bra, and shoved her outfit in a bag. She washed her hands and face in the restroom and finally went and joined Midnight, getting under the covers and letting him slip under with her. "Are you sleepy this time?"

"Mbre," he yawned and curled up beside her. Of course he was. The sun was coming out. He shut his eyes against her warmth. A night without it and her presence was an empty one. Midnight was happy to feel both again.

She turned onto her side and put the blanket over her head to go under with him, hugging and pulling him to her chest. "Thank you for forgiving me, Midnight. I really want you forever..." Maybe Julie was content staying inside. The party was kind of fun overall, but she just didn't have it in her to be out and about.

Even now, the sweet silence was music to her ears. It was just her and Midnight. She was proud of herself for giving it a try, but Julie was who she was, and she was ready to accept it. The library, food court, and speech class were more than enough for her. She couldn't care about what others thought or how they may judge her. She needed to be happy on her terms, or else she wouldn't be.

Midnight rested his chin on her arm as she tucked it under him, nuzzling it. He would forgive her a million times over. They'd been through a lot and had gotten close to losing each other once already. The moment they were sharing now almost didn't exist, so he treasured every single one.

She traced her fingers over his side and shut her eyes. "I love you, love," she murmured.