She Fought Alone

Caitlin Rose, a shy and bullied 17-year-old, relocates to the new town of Lockhart, Illinois. She struggles to find her place at school but eventually gains acceptance into the popular group, The Crew, with her best friend's help.

While attending a party with The Crew, Caitlin bonds closely with Ethan. They spend time together, and she eventually sleeps with him, unknowingly being watched by Ethan's best friend, Jace.

At the movies one night, Caitlin discovers Ethan is dating someone else. She confronts him, and Ethan dismisses their relationship as not serious, but she feels betrayed and upset.

Jace visits Caitlin at her home claiming to offer comfort, but when she refuses his advances, he rapes her while her younger sister Junie listens unknowingly through the door.

The next day, Caitlin tells her mother, Avon, about the assault. Avon disbelieves her, accusing her of seduction, which causes Caitlin to feel betrayed and isolated.

Caitlin goes to the hospital for a rape examination. The doctors find no signs of assault, likely due to her prior sexual activity, but her mother believes her, and they consider pressing charges, though Caitlin wants to forget what happened.

Struggling with nightmares and social rejection, Caitlin faces ongoing bullying at school. Despite considering dropping out, she aims to win Ethan’s trust to stop the harassment, but her efforts fail, and her reputation worsens.

The Crew retaliates against Caitlin by luring her into an abandoned house, where they cut her hair as punishment. Ethan sympathizes with her and decides to release her, which motivates Caitlin to seek legal justice and gather evidence.

Jace confesses to Ethan that he raped Caitlin, shocking Ethan. This revelation causes a rift, and Ethan begins to distance himself from Jace while reconciling with Caitlin.

Ethan and Caitlin prepare to leave Lockhart to escape the aftermath of the assault, but they are stopped by The Crew, leading to a knife fight between Ethan and Jace, ending with Jace being stabbed.

A court trial takes place, where efforts are made to improve school policies regarding abuse and harassment. Jace testifies about his future plans, and Caitlin decides to leave town for college, promising to return someday.

Caitlin departs from Lockhart to attend college, carrying with her the hope of one day returning to her hometown and reconnecting with Ethan and her friend Abby, who is pregnant with Jace’s baby from the assault.