A Drop In The Lake

repeated aggression

**Reading discretion advised**

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Alessa

"Could you guys shut up?" Spits Cameron, turning around to address the giggling boys behind us.

That shuts them up.

"Thank you. I was going to rips their heads off, no warning, if they didn't stop cackling at a fucking sexual assault trial—" im cut off by a warning stare from Cameron when I realize all of the disapproving gazes directed my way.

"Sorry."

"You're fine. Just keep your voice down." Reminds Cameron, grabbing my hand in his.

Nerves flush through my system as Brook walks back into the courtroom. She completes the oath, and the defense attorney is off, picking apart each word in her story, vying for a chance to clip into her timeline and prove that Max wasn't there. Which he was.

"This is insufferable. He was there. Plain and simple," I huff, squeezing Cameron's hand. "Like, he's on camera, how are they going to disprove time-stamped video?"

Realizing my repeated aggression, I settle on arguing about the reality of this trial and all its shiftiness in my head.

After the defense is done, Brook storms out of the room, tears flooding down her face. Tears bubble in my eyes as I squeeze the hand laced with Cameron's. He squeezes my hand back as Max makes his way onto the stand. He says the oath, and the defense is given the floor first.

"Maximilian, in an attempt to be sensitive to you and your side of the story," eye roll. "I ask that you first tell the court your side of the story from the night of the second of November." Begins the defense attorney.

Max shuffles in his seat and begins, "On the second, I was at Alessa's dorm. I went there to talk to her about the story that was published in the papers, and to tell her I was sorry—"

Bullshit.

"Then Brooklyn came up the stairs and upon seeing me, got angry and started yelling at me to leave," he continues. "I tried to move past her to leave, but she started throwing hands and pushed me into her room. It wasn't until Anthony showed up that she stopped hitting me and I was able to leave."

He finishes his tale and the defense attorney sits down, giving the prosecutor the chance to question him.

"Maximilian. I would like to clarify, you were in Brooklyn's room?" Asks Absinthe.

"Yes."

She jots down a note on her pad of yellow paper and then continues, "Okay. Did you sustain injuries from the altercation?"

"Yes."

"Could you elaborate?"

"Objection!" Yells the defendant.

"Objection denied. Proceed." Cuts in the judge, motioning towards the prosecutor.

"Sorry Maximilian. May you elaborate on the specific injuries you sustained?" Asks Absinthe, a hint of venom seeping into her voice.

"Yeah. uh. I got a scratch on my eye. She completely shredded my hands and tried to pull out my hair." He reveals, looking between his lawyer and the prosecutor.

"I see. And we have images of these wounds, yes?"

"Rephrase." Cuts the judge.

"Were your injuries documented by officials?" Corrects Absinthe.

"Yes." Mumbles Max, looking everywhere at once.

"Thank you. The prosecutor is done questioning the witness."

Absinthe moves over to the prosecution and pulls out a folder.

"Your honor, may I request Maximilian's presence on the stand while evidence is presented to the court?" Asks Absinthe.

"Yes." Says the judge, looking more eager.

"Oh thank fuck." I sigh, relaxing in Cameron's grasp.

Cameron shifts beside me and whispers into my ear, "Don't get too comfortable... There's gonna be pictures of Brooklyn in there too."

At that revelation, my heart drops, and as the first photograph is pasted onto the board, my bubbling tears spill over.

"Cameron," I plead, tugging at his shirt. "Cameron."

Without a word, Cameron gets up and leads me out of the courtroom and into the lobby. My body begins to shake as the image of Brooklyn's naked torso, covered in blue and yellow bruises flashes across my eyes.

Cameron leads me into the bathroom to get me away from the looming eye of the media and sits us down on a couch in the waiting room. We sit there, huddled together, for more than an hour, Cameron petting my head and whispering words of encouragement.

"Alessa, you should come back into the courtroom, they're giving final statements." My mother's voice comes from the other side of the bathroom door.

"You ready?" Questions Cameron, putting his hand up to motion to the door.

I nod yes, and get up. Cameron takes my hand to give me extra support as we walk back into the courtroom.

Each side gives their final statements and the jury is ushered out of the room and into an adjacent conference room to confer. Thirty minutes later, the jury returns and Brook and Max are led back into the courtroom to hear the final consensus.

A woman in a pale pink, knee length dress stands up to deliver the verdict. "The jury has found the defendant, Maximilian Roadmen, on the charges of first degree assault and a sentence of two years, guilty."

"Conviction upheld." Confirms the judge.

A chill racks down my body and relief takes its place. My fingers tingle as Cameron moves around me, happiness radiating off of his body. I look over to Brook to see her reaction, and as a smile shoots across her face my vision gives way and the lack of sleep I received last night catches up to me.

The courtroom lights fade with my consciousness and my head drags me back into Cameron's arms.

Everything goes completely dark for a moment and then Cameron's voice booms in my ears, "Alessa... Alessa. Alessa, can you hear me?"

My head pounds as I mutter out, "yes."

Cameron cradles my head as he yells at someone nearby, "Get me a granola bar or some juice."

"What's goin on?" Questions my mother's voice in a concerned tone.

"She passed out. Probably from shock."

"Okay, I'll go get the car and drive her home. Elliot, honey, can you bring the car around front?" Asks my mom, looking at my father.

I don't hear a reply, but my mother bends down to me and pulls me onto my feet. Cameron supports my right side, and my mother my left, and they move together, through the hoard of reporters fighting to ask us questions. They both shuffle me into the car and the moment Cameron slides in and lays my head on his lap, I let sleep consume me.

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Ok, soooooooooooooo, how yah feelin' about the ending?

I know, I'm so excited about it, I even started to cheer when I reread the chapter!

There will be one more chapter after this, so get ready!

Today's question is:

What are you doing this weekend?

I know this seems like a basic question, but for the first time in a long time, I have nothing planned! And I'm really excited to just get to enjoy it!!!!

Anywho, I hope ya'll are doing great, and I'll see you on Sunday!