Switching sides

33

(TRIGGER WARNING, mature content ahead- mentions of rape and abuse. Proceed with caution)

Extra long chapter , just for you!!

Camila

Once I saw him I knew I was going to have a hard time. My anxiety was the worst it's been in so long. I felt like I couldn't breathe or think. If it wasn't for the hand in mine occasionally squeezing it then I would have fainted.

  He was dressed in a suit and tie- the nicest over ever seen him look. He hadn't ever looked this way- not even when I had first met him. My hands were so sweaty.

  He stood there with a smirk on his face that I knew Taylor wanted to smack off. I couldn't look at him- he reminded me of too many painful memories.

Am I doing the right thing? Because my anxiety is making me feel like it's not. Shit shit SHIT. I feel like I'm going to vomit.

Taylor and I make our way to where we are supposed to sit and I don't dare to glance his way. I take a seat with Taylor to my left, her body blocking full view of him.

"He's brought a lawyer" Taylor mumbled under her breath.

Of course he would, why wouldn't he? His reputation was on the line as well. I wanted to not care, to walk in here strong and ready, but I sat here reliving my choices- where did it all go wrong?

I hear Taylor shift toward me and grab my hands into hers.

"Look at me," she says

Look at her. When the man who controlled me sat right behind her. My body won't react, won't move out of fear. I feel how tense my body is, how ridged.

"Cam, please look at me" Taylor begs

Breathe.

I pull my eyes up to see hers and the moment they connect my anxiety lessens, she's the call In my storm- the storm I thought that I would never escape from.

" you are strong enough" she whispers

Her eyes not breaking contact with mine as she quickly lifts my hands to place a kiss on the top of my hand.

What does he see?

I shake that thought out, it doesn't matter- he is nothing to me now. And I need to prove that.
I nodded my head and squeezed her hand back.

" I hate to break this up but it's starting real soon- there will be stuff said that will infuriate you- DO not yell out anything unless you are on that podium"Luke hushes

I pull back from Taylor nodding, it's time to handle business.

"ALL RISE"

I quickly scramble to my feet, as does Taylor. The judge walks in and I'm slightly taken aback. We were told it would be judged. Bailey- who is a woman. But the judge that walks through those doors is not her. It's an older man, with gray hair and a frown on his face.

Shit shit SHIT

"Please be seated" he calls out as he gets paperwork together on the desk.

"Something must have happened" Luke whispers

I throw a glance over at Shawn to see him smirking. Slamming my eyes shut I count in my head.

1

2

3

4-

"Ms. Cabello are you ready to join us"

Breathe.