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Abigail
Monday, and I’m up with the boys. I’ve got to be at the courthouse by eight, and I’m a nervous wreck. The whole house is up. Vic’s parents will be at the courthouse watching everything since they aren’t on the witness list. I didn’t sleep well, I tossed, and I turned all night. I’m sitting on the bed trying to keep my breakfast down, but I’m starting to doubt that’s going to happen. The door opens and in walks Clayton. I must look like I feel because he's on the floor in front of me in an instant.
“Honey, breathe.” He says, and I exhale the breath I was holding.
I breathe in and out slowly. “I’m not going to hold anything down today.” I rub my stomach.
“I made you a bottle of ginger water with lemon. It’s supposed to help with nausea. I read it on the Mayo Clinic site.”
“I don’t think it’s going to help nerves.”
“Probably not. I’d be there with ya, Honey if they’d let me.” He takes my shaking hands and kisses them. “I’m just a text message away. As soon as I finish class, I’m gonna be out in the main hall, just waiting for you to get out. Vic and I both will.”
“That’s right, baby girl.” Vic’s voice is added to the fray. I barely hear them over the ringing in my ears.
“What happens when they say he’s not guilty? Not that we’ll know that till like forever.”
“Honey? You’re not making any sense.” Clayton pushes my hair behind my ears. “This is all a stall tactic, there are too many people, including the one who shot the video who knows he’s guilty. You clearly say no on tape. Repeatedly. He’s going to prison. He’s getting that boyfriend he’s so afraid of.”
“If he doesn’t, I guess his brakes are just going to have to fail.” Vic sits beside me.
“They’re trying to throw out the video because I was drugged. My mother is being used against me.”
“The entire student body saw it. They showed their parents. The bell can’t be unrung. No matter how much money he has.” Vic says. It’s the first time I’ve heard him sound as diluted as Clayton.
“I’m gonna be sick.” I’m up pushing them out of my way. Letting breakfast go. Once I think I’m done, I stand to put some cold water on my face. I can feel the boys watching. “I can’t do this.”
“You don’t have to.” Clayton comes into me. “You tell the lawyer, and they can just read your testimony to the grand jury.” He rubs my back and shoulders. “If it’s really affecting you like this, it needs to end.”
“My case is different than yours. She admitted to everything, mine isn’t.” I sniff.
“As much as I hate to say it, you do still have Giselle. She made a deal and has to stick to it. Her statement is being let in, and it directly points to Killian and Harmand.” Vic pulls me into him. “He’s gonna get his. If I have to give it to him myself.”
“Stop! Don’t even go there. At this rate, I’m not going to prom with you all. We’re not all allowed. Harmand and me. We can’t go to any school functions while this is going on. I just have to hope it’s done by graduation.”
“Screw prom. We’ll have our own prom, and it will be a helluva lot better than some streamers in the gym.” Clayton holds us both in his big strong arms.
“That’s right, baby girl. It’s time you stop worrying about the what if’s and face the what are’s. We are graduating, we are getting out of here, and we are going to be together no matter what.”
“I love you both.”
“We’d kiss ya, but you haven’t brushed yet.” Clayton chuckles as they let me go. “I love you too, so does Vic. Now take that love and go shove that silver spoon up Harmand’s ass.”
***
SIX HOURS, THAT’S HOW long they’ve been parading me back in forth in front of the jury and news crews. I feel like shit, and I’m tired. The lawyer just told me, and Fred we could be here for another couple of hours.
“Fred, I can’t do it anymore. I don’t have anything left in me today.” I cry as our door opens and in walks the boys.
They come straight for me, and I drop into their arms. I’m held and kissed. They don’t say anything. They don’t have to. I just hold on to them with all I have left.
“How much longer are they gonna keep her like this?” Clayton asks, Fred.
“They say it could be a couple more hours.” Fred answers. “They’ve marched her back and forth for six hours now.”
“If you wanna go, we’re not going anywhere.” Clayton pets the back of my head. “Have you at least been keeping hydrated. I know you’re not eating.”
I nod into Vic’s chest because that’s who’s in front of me. “Everyone is watching me. The jury, judge, all the lawyers, and the news crew.”
“Let them watch. Let them see you. Let Harmand see he will never have you or break you again. Baby girl, we got you.”
“We’re here for you. Whatever you need.” Clayton assures me.
“I just don’t understand all the parading me around. What are they getting out of it?”
“It’s not right.” Clayton deadpans.
“It’s how things work here.” Vic sighs.
“They treat her like she asked for it,” Clayton growls.
“Hey, Mister Perfect. Not now.”
Clayton’s tense. He hates this as much as I do.
“Just gotta get through the next couple of hours, then I’m going to bed.”
“Is there anything we can do?” Clayton asks, sitting beside me now.
“Go do what packing you plan to do tonight, so it’s quiet when I get home.”
“Wait—so you want us to just leave?’ Now he sounds confused.
“Come on. She’s got Fred, and we do have a lot to do.” Vic urges him, giving me a nod.
I put my hands on Clayton’s face. “As much as I want you here, I know that if you stay when we all get home tonight, you’ll start packing again. It’ll be loud, and my head is already splitting. Please understand.”
“Think how nice it’s gonna be Friday to come home and take a nice long hot bath.” He smiles with a longing sigh. “Okay. We’ll see you soon.” I kiss them both, and they’re off after hugging me again.
No sooner than they leave, do the lawyers come back again get me. “You need to come with us again.”
Throwing my head back, I stand. I make the long walk down the hall and into the courtroom. I’m led to the witness stand and am bombarded by questions.
“‘At the time of penetration, did you cry with your eyes? Did you scream or scratch the accused with your nails when you were allegedly being raped? You’re in a relationship with two young men, are you not? How do we know you didn’t ask for this, like some fantasy?’
I’m finally told I could go back to my room. I stand to come off the witness stand and feel dizzy. I hold on to the wood as I step down. No sooner than my foot is on the ground, does everything go black.
