I Wish You Never Met Me

38

CHAPTER 38

"Sir, what is the meaning of this? You can't just interrupt court trials however you feel," the judge scolded.

The familiar voice that came through the familiar face. Those same dark brown eyes, narrow nose, and long, slender stature. Darnell, one of Kayden's other best friends and fellow teammate. He was another guy that I was close to you besides Kayden. He'd always be there whenever I was down sometimes. He was always around whenever Kayden was elsewhere doing God knows what. He sported black slacks, and a white button up. The cuff rolled up showing his thick forearms.

His strides were long as he came closer, standing between the confused audience.

"What bring you here, young man?" the judge asked.

"Your honor, I'm here because I know who hacked Meghan's computer that day."

Gisele gave me a reassuring smile probably knowing that I was just as confused as everyone else was. "I'd like to call this young man to the stand, your honor."

"Meghan, you may sit back in your seat. Get up here, young man."

Without question, I stood up and walked back to my seat. The moment I was about to turn, my feet stopped. I looked at him, showing the pain I've dealt with all this time. And he gave me an apologetic look, reciprocating the pain I showed. "I'm sorry for everything, Meg. I'm going to make everything right, I swear." he whispered, then headed to the stand.

"Do you swear to tell the truth and nothing but the truth?" His hand was on the bible.

"I swear."

Gisele stood up. "Care to tell us who you are, young man?"

"My name's Darnell Masters."

"What is your connection with Ms. Hawkins and Ms. Runnels?"

"I'm one of her ex-boyfriends', Kayden, friends. Back then, Meghan and I were close through him. As for Runnels, she was co-captain of the cheer squad whilst Meghan was head captain at the time. Kayden and I were on the football team together."

"You said, you knew who hacked Meghan's computer, then who was it?"

Before he spoke, you could hear a pin dropping on the floor. Clarise slightly nodded her head, not to give herself away but trying to stop him. "It was me. I hacked Meghan's computer that day."

"Why? Why would you do that, Darnell?" Gisele had nurturing eyes that held and wore disappointment like honor.

On the brink of his own composure, he took a moment to heave a sigh. "Her family was threatening to take my scholarships away. I couldn't let them do that. I worked, scratched and clawed for them. Clarise paid me to do it."

"How did you get into her only fans account? How did you get into the IRS' database?"

"Her account was easy to get into. Her password was her birthday and the entire knew it. Every year, she'd announce it like it was a national holiday. As for the IRS, their documents on there are fakes."

The number of times I've heard the audience and gossip amongst themselves as they take in all the information they've been hearing. Their faces lost their color with every word that left his mouth. The truth had finally come out.

"How can be so sure? Do you have proof of your involvement in this?"

"I have screenshots of our entire group chat." He revealed.

There it is. So, it wasn't just her and Kayden.

Darnell then gave his phone to the judge. "I believe you should see this, your honor."

The judge herself, skimmed through the pictures that appeared on the screen each time she scrolled. The phone, connected to the projector, displayed the images for the rest of us to see them. There, I saw Destiny's name, Kayden, Darnell, Clarise, and Beatrice. The laughs, I can hear them as I remembered through the old cracks of the white walls in that school. Their smiles that never reached their eyes whenever they saw me. The language in their bodies as they hoped I'd still be too dumb to realize what was going on.

But I wasn't. Instead, they were too obvious and made it a whole lot easier for me to cast them aside just as they did me. The moment those cuffs were locked around my wrists, I knew where I was heading, and I knew it was over—for them. Now, the minute I entered the room, they eagerly wait in line for my forgiveness.

"Where are the real tax documents?" Judge Rubin asked.

Jaxson then opened his briefcase. "I believe you're looking for these?" from it, he pulled out a thick beige file folder filled with a large pile of paperwork and handed it to Gisele.

"Your honor, these are the Runnels family's tax documents." Gisele approached the podium with the file, whispering a line of gratitude to Jaxson. "According to Smith Investigation firm, the family hasn't paid taxes since 2015."

For a moment, there was a space of silence that allowed the audience and the jury to talk against amongst themselves. Mr. Sanders took it upon himself and finally did his job in trying to defend them at least. He nearly slammed his hands on the table. "Your honor, I object. Those documents could be fabricated!"

"Sustained. Mrs. Smith, continue."

"Thank you, your honor. Darnell, how much did Ms. Runnels pay you?"

"$2,000." He answered.

"Jury, how do you find the defendants on the count of invasion of privacy?"

"Guilty," a man, in a black suit stood up.

"On the count of defamation?"

"Guilty."

"On the count of forgery and falsifying documents?"

"Guilty."

"On the count of fraud and orchestration of assault?"

"Guilty."

"All Runnels owned business are here by shut down. Mr. and Mrs. Runnels are sentenced to thirty years in prison, 300 hours of community service, no parole. Ms. Clarise Runnels will be sentenced to fifteen years in prison for premeditated assault and battery. 300 hours of community service. Ms. Runnels will not be allowed on social media. Also Mr. and Mrs. Runnels must pay the taxes owed and credit card purchases by Ms. Clarise Runnels. Case closed." She said, as she slammed the wooden hammer against the ladle. 

A/N: 

Finally, we're here. The trial. Now we can put it all in the past but this isn't over yet. Happy summer. Hope you're enjoying it so far! 

Time for Meghan to have some fun for once. Are you ready?

See you soon.