Meet Me in the Hallway (HS AU)

seventy eight.

March 30th used to have no significance to me. I used to see that date on a calendar and not give it a second thought. It's rather strange now to look back at years where this day would simply fly by as another day.

Today was anything but just another day.

My shoes felt tight, my dress was itchy, I could feel but not see a hair on my face, one earring felt heavier than the other and the air in the court was suffocating. I didn't want to be here. I had changed my mind as soon as I walked in. Ella and I had been given the option to prepare written statements for our representatives to read or come in and give an in person statement.

I think I was slightly persuaded to come and deliver it in person by Ella's bravery. She had instantly decided hers would be delivered in person. 'I am not giving that piece of shit any reason to think I am scared of him. I am not scared of him in the slightest and I want to watch his face as everyone around him learns what a terrible person he was.'

There was no way I couldn't be in court to hear her give her testimony, I had promised to support her and in all honesty, I wanted to know exactly what had happened to her. So I put on my big girl boots and walked my nervous ass into the chamber.

The bench was cold against the back of my thighs but Harry and Ella's hands were warm as they each held one of mine. Both of them continued to hold my hands as the proceedings started. I could hardly hear anything happening around me, all I could hear was the ringing in my ears and muffled voices.

At some stage, Ella had been called to speak and I forced myself back to reality so I could listen to her statement. Her voice was strong as she spoke, she had pretty much memorised her words beforehand so she only glanced at the paper one or two times.

Our representative asked her a few questions hoping to prove Will's guilt which she answered without hesitation or flaw. Will's lawyer asked her a bunch of questions trying to prove his innocence which she was able to word perfectly to once again fall against Will.

Her shoulders and jaw relaxed as soon as she was dismissed from the stand. She stood tall as she made her way back to her spot on the bench, appearing more confident now than she did earlier. She spoke beautifully, you could tell this is what she did for work because everything was absolutely perfect.

But Ella being finished meant it would soon be time for me to speak. My hand was lifted gently and placed directly in front of Harry's face, pressing a few quick kisses to the skin. I forced a smile onto my lips but it soon fell as soon as I heard my name being called.

My breathing instantly picked up and my knees and hands shook as I walked towards the stand. Having everyone's eyes on me did not help at all, especially knowing his were on me. He was staring me down like I was prey and he was about to attack, almost as if he knew Ella was not going to be intimidated by him but I was an easier target.

"Please state your full name for our records."

"J-Josephine Marie Cook." My voice was almost unrecognisable, it was an octave higher and continuously catching in my throat.

Then I told them everything.

I told the court that Will wasn't always like this, he made me fall in love with the perfect gentleman he pretended to be for the first three years of our relationship. I mentioned how I was socially isolated and forced to disconnect with my friends. I recalled the first time he ever hit me and how I was gaslighted into believing he had no recollection of such events. I detailed the extensive injuries I had sustained over the years, including the times I had been on the brink of death. I swallowed my tears as I told them the countless times I had told Will I wasn't in the mood but made feel as though it was my duty to participate. I looked him dead in the eyes as I outlined the long lasting effect he will have on my mental health and my future relationships.