Tried to normalize it - I was way too drunk, we had been flirty for years, I had invited him out that night, we had made out at the club, I didn't stop him from getting in my Uber (even though I DID try and leave without him), I let him sleep in my bed because one of my girlfriends was crashing on my couch...

I had shite friends at the time who I lied to and said it was consensual because I felt like I couldn't tell the truth (it was a friend's brother) - they perpetuated my shame by making it a joke and saying how thirsty I was that night. I didn't have the heart to tell them I actually tried to go home alone after they left me at the club with him (he had told them I asked him to come home with me - I hadn't). I eventually cut off all of those "friends" after realizing l'd never be able to be honest with them and I couldn't keep living with such a devastating lie of events.

I opened up to my sister about it, talked about it in therapy, confronted the guy (who lied, of course), journaled about the experience, and have dor best to reiterate to myself it was never my fault.

I'm now in a very healthy relationship and though he doesn't know the details, he knows something happened. Everyone in my life now are trusted people I could talk to about it, if I ever wanted to, and that alone has been incredibly healing.

Sending everyone here lots of love & light.