Switching sides

32

T.w This chapter and the one that follows will contain explicit context that my mother and some readers/ do not read if you are underage and or struggle with sexual abuse.

Also there's miss definitely spelling mistakes- call me out on that shiz

Taylor

Today is the day, the day the court decides the fate of the situation that occurred months ago. Camila has been a bundle of nirvous since we got into the car. I tried my best to calm her yet my antics made it worse.

Much worse.

Her leg kept bouncing up and down next to me so I slid my hand into her leg, brushing my thumb over her skin.

"It's going to be alright" I breathe out

She glances at me with worried eyes.

"What if he lies and says you attacked him or that he never did anything wrong or-"

"Camila calms down," I say grabbing her hands which we're picking at her nails.

Pulling her hands into my Lap I scoot closer to her, ignoring the pull of the seatbelt on my chest.

"He IS going to lie C, that's the thing. He doesn't give two shits about us. He's only looking out for his reputation" I whisper knowing she's overwhelmed

She nodded her head and shifted over to settle it on my shoulder, her forehead resting in the crease of my neck.

"We're going to be okay- the team is going to brief us before we head in, there's going to be paparazzi so stay with me and keep your head up," I say as we near the courthouse.

"I don't wanna lose you," she says glancing up to meet my eyes

"You won't" I reassure her.

Hee nerves don't lessen as we get closer. The lawn of the courthouse was so packed that I could hardly see the grass. I knew this would be everywhere but not this chaotic.

Police surrounded the crowds in an attempt to keep them at bay yet their efforts did little. Were they here to hate Camila? On me? I knew this was public so the confusion etched into my reaction was shocking.

"Holy shit" Camila gasped

I grabbed her hand a squeezed it. We can do this.

"Okay, okay" She mumbled more so for herself than me.

As I pulled up I let go of Camilla's hand and she quickly entertained her hands with mine. I sent her a questioning look- the public would talk.

"It's not they won't know after this right?" She asked sheepishly

She had a point, they will know after this hearing. I nodded my head and followed her out of the car. The roar of voices sounded in my ears and I forced myself not to cover them.

"Taylor who are you suing now??"

"Taylor did you hurt someone"

"Camila why sent you with Shawn"

"Is she with you Taylor?"

"What are you hiding"

I pushed the voices out and focused on Camila and getting to the doors. Hee hand securely in mine, we walked forward.

"Taylor, why are you holding her hand?"

"Taylor are you a dyke?!"

"Is she the newest slut"

That one struck a nerve, talk about me all you want but keep her name out of your mouth. I turned to lunch at him but Camilla's arm wrapped around mine and pulled me back forward so I couldn't look back. Her face was stone hard and she was looking forward. I almost missed it but she gave me a slight squeeze, telling me to keep going, that it's okay. To not give them the time of day.

Refocusing myself we made it to the doors and inside, the paps weren't allowed inside so it was calm and quiet.

Across the small foyer stood our team, dressed in black and ready to work.

"Hello, please follow us we have a few things to discuss" Luke stepped forward to direct us to a room.

Breathe, I reminded myself.

Once we were settled in the room, tree and my mother joined shortly after and took a seat.

"As you know Shawn is suing for defamation and harassment, that's his final statement," he said.

Sitting up he took a deep breath,

"I need you both to trust me on this when I say what we change our statement," she said looking directly at me.

He's the one who fought for me when I was violated when nobody believed me- he stood there on my behalf and fought for me. He didn't care what the media said or the death threats that he received.

"I don't like this" Camila mumbles shifting in her seat.

I grabbed her hand and squeezed it.

"Trust him," I said

And that's all I had to say before she nodded.

"We scratch the small pity allegations for this one ' defamation of character, Intentional Infliction of Emotional, physical and mental distress, assault, pain, and suffering and rape" he finished setting the paper down.

Rape?

Why did we need to use that term?

Thinking back to Camila and how she mention stories of what Shawn did- it is rape. I never saw it that was because she said she never fought him.
  Camila tensed up in the seat next to me.

" to continue- you'll only be called to the stand to testify what had happened that night on the rooftop Taylor, Camila tho- you might be up there a few times." He said

Great- this did suck.

"Other than that I have all the evidence I need to press forward, be in the courtroom in twenty minutes" he stated and everyone stood up. Everyone expects me and Camila.

  We sit there in shock for what feels like an eternity. This feels so wrong yet I know it's the correct choice. And calm Mila is the first to speak up.

"I'm scared" she whimpers

I quickly look at her to see tears in her eyes and her hands shaking, I grab her and pull her in.

"We got this, you go up there and speak your truth even if your voice fucking shakes " I grit out

Don't cry, don't cry I chant to myself. I need to be there for her. To the the strong one.

"Promise we will be okay" she mumbles into my shirt

"Yes my love," I say and she grips to me tighter.

Today is the day he goes down, he needs to pay for the bullshit he put her through.