back to you | jadon sancho

six

The courthouse loomed large as I approached, its imposing facade adding to the knot of anxiety in my stomach. It had been a few weeks since I was discharged from the hospital, and though I had been attending my weekly checkups, the mental and emotional toll of the events weighed heavily on me. Now, I was being called in as a witness in the trial against Jadon and Jacob.

The courthouse steps felt like they stretched for miles. Chloe and Gio were by my side, their presence a comforting anchor in the sea of uncertainty. As we passed through the security checkpoint, my mind raced with thoughts of what awaited inside.

"You'll be fine," Chloe whispered, giving my hand a reassuring squeeze. "Just tell your side of the story."

I nodded, trying to steady my breathing. "Thank you for being here."

We entered the courtroom, the atmosphere thick with tension. The judge's bench towered above, and rows of wooden pews were filled with spectators and reporters. My eyes sought out Jadon and Jacob. I haven't spoken with any of them since the gala. Jadon's expression of anxiety and resolve changed instantly when he noticed me. On the other side, Jacob sat with his attorney, looking pale and irritated. I could barely look at him without thinking about what ahd happened, but I took a heavy breath and sat down at my seat.

As the proceedings began, the prosecutor laid out the charges against both men. Jacob was charged with assault, sexual harrasment and attempted sexual assault, while Jadon faced charges for assault because of how badly he injured Jacob.

"To prove my client's innocence, I would like to bring key witness Imani Adesina." Jadon's attorney said.

When my name was called, I stood up, my legs feeling like lead. I walked to the witness stand, swore an oath to tell the truth, and took my seat. The prosecutor approached, his demeanor professional but probing.

"Miss Imani, can you describe the events of the night in question?"

I took a deep breath, my voice steady but soft. "I was at the winter gala with my friends Chloe and Gio. Jacob was my date for the evening. He seemed completely fine until I went to talk to Mr Sancho in private. When I came back, he had been drinking heavily, and when I tried to help him, he became aggressive." I said.

I recounted the details as clearly as I could, describing how Jacob's behavior escalated, and that he called me a slut. I also explained how he tried to sexually assault me, how I screamed for help and how he hit me. I explained how Jadon intervened, pulling Jacob away and ultimately stopping him from causing further harm, which was the last thing I saw before everything went black.

The prosecutor nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Thank you, Miss Imani. Now, can you describe the extent of your injuries?"

I winced internally at the memory. "Jacob hit me in the head, hard enough to knock me unconscious. I was in a coma for two days and had to stay in the hospital for further observation. I believe the details is in the evidence folder."

The prosecutor nodded again, then turned to Jacob's attorney, who stood and approached the witness stand. His demeanor was different—sharp and confrontational.

"Miss Imani," Jacob's attorney began, his tone dripping with skepticism. "You mentioned that Jacob was your date for the evening. Is that correct?"

"Yes," I replied, feeling a knot form in my stomach.

"And how long have you known Jacob?" the attorney asked, pacing slowly.

"Not very long. We met a few weeks before the gala."

The attorney stopped and turned to face me, his expression hardening. "So, you didn't know him well. Is it possible that you misinterpreted his actions due to a lack of familiarity?"