Becoming Mrs. Bryant

𝐅𝐈𝐅𝐓𝐄𝐄𝐍

Lewis

March 1. 2023

I sighed as I looked into my mirror and tidied up my bow. I was wearing a black suit with a red bow. My hair had recently been trimmed, and while doing so, I got a lineup as well. I was trying to look as cleaned up, or as "sharp and sophisticated" as possible, because well dressed somehow equated to less likely to commit a crime, apparently.

I heard a knock on my dorm door, and assumed that it was either Nick or Jason, which would make the most sense. Both Aubrey and Nova had already told me that they would be sitting amongst press, so I knew they were gonna be there.

I opened the door, unintentionally locking eyes with May as I did so, which caused a heavy jolt in my stomach. I didn't know whether to be happy or to be fearful in that moment. May could've been here to tell me that she'll be supporting me, or she could be here to tell me her final goodbyes and announce that she no longer wants anything to do with me.

"Hi?" I greeted my maybe-girlfriend-maybe-enemy in an unintentionally bleak voice, having meant to sound confident. May gave me a weak smile."Hi" she replied back, just as shyly as I had sounded, as she rubbed her palm against her thigh. She had been wearing a cross off the shoulder white knit dress that was short though not skimpy. Along with that, she appeared to be wearing some kind of makeup. Don't get me wrong, May always looked good, but she looked real exceptional right now.

"I'm hurt, but you knew that" May continued, playing with her thumbs. "I know it'll take a while, and maybe even some therapy for me to heal. But, this moment is a one time thing, and me supporting you could be beneficial to you and the people watching. There could be a girl out there right now who is struggling with figuring out if she should or should not leave her man because he made a mistake. There could be someone thats struggling to forgive themself, and needs to hear what I'm gonna say. And on top of that, me advocating for you may just help your reputation. I wanna be there for you, Lewis. That way, you can be there for me later."

I could feel my face heating up, and my throat clogging. I tried my best to fight back the tears that were coming, but some of them were already too far to fight off. Neither May or I said another word. Instead, I pulled her into a hug, and she accepted.

"I know you didn't rape her" she whispered, "and I promise I'll stand by you."

"I'm sorry" I whispered back, "I know that words can't heal, but know that I'll do everything I can to make it up to you. I love you May, I really, really do."

***

Aubrey

"Wow this place is packed" Nova observed, as she, Nick, Jason, and I all sat in a back row to avoid being recorded by press. I nodded, "well, it may have not been in the way that he had hoped, but at least Lewis is a star." Jason chuckled, "too soon" he insisted.

The room quieted down, which told me that Lewis was about to come in. As his lawyer, an officer, and some random chick walked in first, I saw May's ankle, which I could identify almost anywhere due to the oddly placed orchid tattoo she has on it, and I was overcome with happiness. I looked over at Nova and the guys as they too soon understood what was happening. I watched as beaming ear-to-ear smiles grew on my wife and friend's faces one by one like some falling dominoes.

The room had grown to a full silence, one that would make a pen drop feel explosive. Both May and Lewis, who had came hand-in-hand, took their seats at the long table that had been covered with a blue table cloth. The people who I watched come in before them had been sitting next to them.

The camera crew had been pointing their cameras at Lewis, which was expected because he was the man in question. Lewis took a deep breath, pulled the microphone closer to him, and spoke.