𝐁𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐞 || 𝗷. 𝗺𝗮𝘆𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗸

-24- 1 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐩 𝐟𝐨𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝, 3 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐩𝐬 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 -24-

John B was taken into custody shortly after.

We had waited at the sheriffs office all day trying to speak to him but it was no use.

His sentencing was in a couple weeks so we all decided to go to support him at his hearing.

"John Booker Routledge, pursuant to the North Carolina statute section 14 you are charged with murder in the first degree with aggravated circumstances if convicted, the maximum sentence would be the death penalty" the judge states.

The crowd let out murmurs of shock at the severity of the punishment.

I let out a shakey breath as shit had actually started to hit the fan.

I was fidgeting with the hem of my mini skirt as I tried to wrap my head around what the fuck just happened.

"Your honor he's 17!" JJ yells.

Kiara and Pope shoot up and instantly try to stop him as people start to file out of the courtroom.

"John B, we're gonna figure it out!" JJ yells towards his best friend.

"Let's go guys, lets get out of here" Kiara mumbles as she grabs my arm.

I give John B a timid look as Kiara ushers me out.

The five of us along with the rest of the people in the court room file out of the building as they make snarky remarks about John B's fate.

"Is this a joke? Like are we in hell or...?" Kiara questions.

"—I should've never come home" Sarah mutters.

"—They're gonna kill him, guys. I know it" JJ says lowly.

A man was consoling the Cameron family as they walk out of the courthouse.

A wave of anger instantly came over me.

"Can you shut up? Of course you think the system worked because it was made to protect you and people like you" I seethe.

I was so mad at everything.

It was like everything we were trying to do wasn't getting us anywhere.

It was like we'd take one step forward and three steps back.

"He'll have his day in court. A jury will decide" the man retorts back.

"He shouldn't even be in court! You should, 'cause you're a murderer" I shout, pointing an angry finger at Ward.

"You have a lot of nerve showing up here to court" Kiara adds hotly.

"I know you're upset. I understand you're upset, okay?" Ward says.

"—Upset?" Kiara replies.

"—And I know he's got you fooled. He's got you all fooled" Ward states.

"—No, I'm not just upset!" I yell as I lunge towards him.

JJ instantly grabs me back as the police separate us.

"Tell your girlfriend to show some respect. It's not very lady like to act like that" Ward calls towards JJ.

JJ instantly gets rilled up and lunges towards Ward as the police officers push us away from them.

"—Muzzle your goddamned dog!" JJ yells angrily.