As It Was (COMPLETED) (wattys2023)

Far From Over

"I'm here. I'm probably going to get grounded for skipping school, but I'm here and not going anywhere."

I stopped my anxious foot tapping for a moment and casted a long look in Garrett's direction. The anxiety and fear at me must have finally managed to get under his skin, because he'd moved from his comfortable position on the plastic chair to leaning forward, shoes pressed flat against the ground, elbows digging into his thighs, and eyes scanning our surroundings.

The lobby was busy; people rushing in every direction with stacks of folders and books, a few walking past in heated conversations with whoever was on the other side of their Bluetooth. Garrett had tucked his phone into his jean pocket sometime in the last five minutes, eyes finding the elevator every few seconds, expecting David and his assistant every time it opened.

After what felt like a decade sitting in the loud, hectic lobby, the doors opened to reveal David and a petite red head carrying multiple folders in the crook of her right arm. He spotted me immediately and waved as he approached, "Everly! Hey, I'm so glad you had a change of heart."

As Garrett and I rose, he finally seemed to take in the six-foot two boy beside me and blinked, looking as if he had been sure that I'd been here alone a second ago.

"David, this is my friend Garrett." I said when all they did was stare at one another. "I hope it doesn't cause any problems that I brought him with me."

David, recollecting himself and pushing passed his shock, forced a smile and responded, "No, no, that's perfectly fine. As long as he's not the focual point of the video, it's all good."

The entire trek in the elevator and down a long, busy hall of offices was silent. David kept leaning to whisper to his assistant and Garrett was texting someone and muttering incoherently under his breath to try and break the tension hanging over our heads.

When we finally reached the office, my eyes went to the green sheet strung across the far back wall. The glass of water and box of tissues sitting in front of the chair at the end of the table was a sure sign that it was my seat. They were already expecting me to become an inconsolable mess, so I guess that was a plus.

Following my gaze, David nodded before he breaks into an explanation into what it's for. "All you'll be able to see is just what it is-a green screen. However, after we're done editing, it'll have the photos of those lost and the crime scene. We're doing it this way so we don't trigger you, but it'll add even more intensity and emotion to your words having it all behind you."

"Okay." I said, feeling Garrett take my hand. When I diverted my gaze from the bearded man to our hands, I saw that my fingers were furling and trembling-his grasp wasn't doing much to stop the action.

"We will be recording both audio and video. If at any point you are uncomfortable or need to gather your bearings, just vocalize it and we'll be sure to edit it out."

"Okay." I repeated.

He crossed the room and pulled out the uncomfortable looking fold up chair. After a moment, I joined him and lowered myself into it. His assistant walked Garrett overso he was in the chair opposite of David at the middle of the table, all three pairs of eyes on me.

"Are you sure you are ready for this, Miss Rodgers?"

A hysterical laugh was the response he got. Embarrassed by it, I quickly added, "No. But if my voice, my story, is what's needed to make that step toward change, I got to do it. If not for me, then for my boyfriend, my friends, classmates, my teachers."