She is not bad

Chapter 59 : Law court

The next days didn't go very well for Jane. The young girl was under arrest for sexual assault on Alexandra and was waiting for her trial. No one was allowed to visit her except her lawyer and Hopper. But Hopper was more spending his time to search for people to speak in her favor. Of course, he barely had time to ask Cassandra that the woman was already writing her text. He saw Medhi, Melissa, and Mallory who didn't hesitate to accept to defend their best friend. Mallory called Loren to know if she wanted to participate, the blonde girl accepted too. He talked to Joyce, but the woman didn't think it was a good idea to intervene. She really wanted to help Jane, but they had so many quarrels in the past that she was sure it would be used against the young girl. But she called Beverly to know if she wanted to defend Jane. The redhead didn't even hesitate and was even scared they wouldn't ask her.

As this story completely destroyed the relationship between the group of friends, Bev wasn't expecting them to want to defend Jane. Only Gabrielle affirmed she would do it. Clara hesitated a few days before thinking she should do something for her. Max didn't answer. She couldn't reveal to everyone the story they had together. Neil would learn it in a way, and she couldn't take the risk to give him a reason to punch her again.

Today was the day. It was the trial. Everyone was there. None of those who were witnessing had been allowed to talk to each other for days, so it was weird for them to finally see each other.

Cassandra was with Joyce, completely terrified by this day. She hadn't slept since Jane was under arrest. She was crossing her fingers to have a good end. But Jane wasn't the kind of person to have good ends. And this accusation was so serious that she had no chance...No one was believing someone accused of sexual assault.

The two women were joined by Beverly with Andrew and Daniel. The redhead was feeling sick. She was so scared to say something wrong about Jane that she hadn't eaten before coming. They were joined by Jane's lawyer who gave them some last instructions for the trial. When he finished with them, he took Cassandra apart to tell her:

- "Hopper will take you to Jane. You have one minute to talk to her. Not about the trial, but we want you to see her before, to let her know you're here for her, okay?"

- "I don't know how to thank you."

- "Don't, if I were in your situation, I would want to see my daughter too."

- "Thank you."

The man smiled to her before letting her join Hopper. The man placed his hand on the woman's shoulder and guided her in the corridors, far from the crowd, to a door. He told her again the rules before opening the door. Jane was wearing a prisoner outfit and sitting in a chair, handcuffed. Cassandra entered and quickly went to Jane to crouch in front of her.

- "Cass'..." Jane said with tears in her eyes.

- "I'm here, Jane. Don't worry. It will be okay. How are you?"

- "I'm scared..."

- "I know. But you're not alone, okay? I'm here for you."

- "I don't wanna go in jail, I wanna stay with you...I won't survive...You know what they do to people who go in jail for sexual assault..."

- "I know. But you won't go in jail, okay? They have nothing against you because you didn't do anything."

- "What if I did? Maybe I hurt them without even knowing it..." Jane cried.

- "No, Jane. Don't say that. I know you didn't. I know you by heart. You're a nice girl who lived bad things. But you're not like that. I can assure you that you're not like that. You need to believe in you, okay? You think you can do that?"

- "I'll try..."

Jane lost control of her tears and completely broke down. Cassandra immediately took her in arms, her niece crying on her shoulder. The woman felt her heart breaking. It was unbearable to see her niece in a situation like that. It was unfair. She tightened the hug and rubbed her back, trying to comfort her the best she could. She heard Hopper loudly knock at the door and say:

- "Time is over!"

- "Just a minute!" Cassandra answered.

- "We don't have time! The trial is gonna begin!"

Cassandra nodded, even if she knew Hopper couldn't see her. The woman wiped her tears before breaking the hug, holding Jane's head between her hands.

- "Don't give up, Jane. Listen to me. I'm not letting you down. Do you hear me? I'm with you. Now, dry your eyes, take a deep breathing, and let us tell them you're not a rapist. They will understand they messed up with the wrong person."

The woman took her niece in her arms before kissing her cheek and standing.

- "Don't go! Don't let me alone," Jane cried.

- "I don't have the choice. But Hopper will stay with you, okay? You won't be alone, don't worry. He will take care of you while I can't."

Jane sniffed and nodded. Cassandra kissed again Jane's cheek before getting out of the room, some tears falling.

- "How is she?" Hopper asked.

- "She is terrified, what do you think!"

- "I'm sorry..."

- "It's okay," she sniffed. "It's not your fault."

Hopper was going to take Cassandra in his arms, but the woman refused.

- "No, no...I told her you would stay with her...Try to calm her down..."

- "I'll try."

- "Thank you. Jane is not a big fan of law courts...Last time she went to a court, they sent her sister in jail and she got locked and abused by this fucking asshole!"

- "I know, I know. You should take some air before the beginning of the trial."

Cassandra agreed. Hopper joined Jane inside the room while the aunt went outside to cry alone. Constance in jail, then Dany who died, and now it was Jane who would go in jail. It was too much for the woman. She just wanted all her family with her, but it was like if no one wanted that.