Scars [An Exclamation Point Fan Fiction]

PART 30

James and I are the last group to perform. The music starts, and I get really into the performance. I feel tears slipping down my cheeks, at the ending embrace where I walk from James. The song ends, and everyone stands clapping, including Ms. Michaels. James walks over and hugs me. Ms. Michaels clears her throat.

"That was very impressive." She says as I wipe the tears from eyes. "That song was purposely chosen for you two. I wanted to see how the emotion could be portrayed. You've done well."

I nod my head as we wait for her to make her decisons. People come up and talk to me about the routine, and about me being abused. Ms. Michaels walks back in the room.

"Ok." She says. "Fifteen of you will be returning next week. Have a solo of your choice done. The song needs to be at least two minutes but no more than three. When I call your name, please step forward you are moving on." She lists off names. "James Harper, Lexie Ryan, and Nikki Garner. Congratulations again. Everyone else, don't give up. You all have tremendous talent." People start filing out of the room. I pick up my bag to walk out when Ms. Michaels calls my name. I walk over to her.

"When are you leaving for the trial?" She asks.

"On Friday. It doesn't start until the nineteenth though." I say.

"Send me a video of your routine by Friday. I'll let you know Saturday the results."

"Thank you for this." I say. "For even letting me continue."

"You have talent, passion, emotion, and courage. I see it when you perform. You deserve to be here as much as anyone else."

I nod my head and turn to walk away.

"Nikki." She says. I turn. "I'm sorry about what's happened, and I hope everything works out."

I smile. "Thank you." I walk out the door and join Paul.

Friday comes too soon. I send Ms. Michaels a video of a lyrical hip-hop routine, and Paul drives me to the airport.

"We'll leave late tomorrow night." He says as we unload my bags. "We have a little more ecording to do."

"Ok, I'll text you around six your time if I find anything out."

Paul wraps me in a tight hug. "I love you so much." He says. "I'm so proud of you." He softly kisses me, before my flight is called. I chew on my lower lip, picking up my bags. Paul puts one hand on my ceek. "You'll be ok." He says. I nod my head, still nervous. "Close your eyes." He whispers. I close my eyes and feel something cold on my neck.

I open my eyes and look down. "Your superman necklace?" I say picking it up off my chest.

"So I'll be with you on the flight, and until I get there." He says.

I hug him one last time as the final boarding call is announced.

Saturday night at eight o'clock, I sit by my phone and wait for it to ring. It starts to vibrate. With shaking hands I read the number, EDGE Academy. I swallow the lump in my throat.

"Hello?" I say.

"Is this Nikki?" A voice says.

"Yes this." I say.

**PAUL'S POV**

Danny and I are driving to the airport when my ringtone for Nikki goes off. I turn down the radio.

"Hey Nik. What's the news?" I ask.

There's heavy breathing on the other line. I can't tell if she's been crying.

"Paul." She says, her voice shaking. She makes a noise. "I got it." She says, laughing. "I'm in the final seven."

"Yes! That's awesome Nikki! I knew you could do it!" I say.

"Congrats Nikki!" Danny yells to the phone.

She laughs. "Thanks guys. Where are y'all?"

"On our way to the airport. Our plane takes off in a little over an hour."

"I can't wait for y'all to get here." She says. "I'm nervous about Monday."

"Don't be." I say. "He's going away."

She sighs. "I hope your right." I hear her mom's voice in the background. "I gotta go, my parents want to take me out to dinner. Call me when the plane lands. I don't care how late it is."

"I'll text you. Go have fun with your parents. Love you."

"Love you too. Bye."

*click*

We finally get to the airport and board the plane. The next three hours go on forever. It's almost two o'clock in the morning by the time we land. I text Nikki and let her know we've landed. Back at the house Danny and I unpack our stuff, and go to sleep.

The next day we spend with Nikki trying to keep her mind off the trial for a little while.

"Hey wanna hear some of our single?" I ask. Danny grabs his guitar,

"Yeah." She says smiling.

"We've written it, and had it on Itunes before, but it's going on the album." I say. "It's called Hold You."

We play her the song, she smiles throughout the entire song.

"I loved it." She says smiling.

"We thought you would." Danny says.

After a couple hours of playing the guitar, and watching movies her anxiety kicks in. She takes her medication, and shortly after falls asleep on the couch. I carry her up to her room, tucking her into bed, and softly kissing her forehead. Danny and I walk into the kitchen where her parents are. They look up when we walk in.

"Nikki fell asleep on the couch, I took her to her room. Do you two need anything before we head out?" I ask.

"No, thank you though." Her mom says. She looks up and I can see the exhaustion in her eyes. "Trial starts at nine tomorrow morning. We'll see you there." She stands up and hugs both Danny and I. "Thank you boys for everything." She says.

"It's no problem." Danny says.

"We love her." I say.

Ms. Garner nods her head. "Good night boys." She says,

"Good night." I say as we walk out the door.

***MY POV***

The next morning I wake up to what will be one of the longest days of my life. Paul and Danny meet us at the courthouse. I'm sitting inside with my lawyer, when Nate walks in with his. He looks different, but the look in his eyes is still the same. I start shaking, and I can feel the tears coming. My lawyer, Emma Whittley, comes up to me.

"Nikki are you?" She asks.

I shake my head. "I can't do this." I whisper. I hear her heels click away, and then I feel a hand on my knees. I look up and Paul is kneeling in front of me.

"You can do this." He whispers. "You're so much stronger, than you think you are. Prove to Nate you are." I nod my head and wipe my eyes. Paul kisses my cheek, then walks back to the seats.

The lawyers make opening arguements. Nate's lawyer tries to say Nate never hit me. While mine proves he did. A few witnesses are called to testify. Some for Nate, but most for me. Emma had said earlier that I may not have to talk, given the siuation. The judge sits and reads the case a couple times, then clears his throat.

"I'd like to hear Nikki speak before a verdict is reached." He says.

I swallow the lump in my throat and make my way to the witness stand. I do the charade, hand on the the Bible, swear to tell the truth, Finally the judge looks at me. "Nicole. Please tell us you account for the past two years with Nate Martin."

I take in a shaky breath. I see Paul nodding. "Nate Martin has physically,emotionally , and verbally abused me for the past two years. He has forced me to have sex with me, along with raping me while I was on medication, and unware of what was happening."