As the case against Rikka proceeded in court, tension mounted. The hearings were intense, and the atmosphere was thick with emotion. Rikka had been released on bail, but the weight of the accusations had clearly taken a toll on her. Her once confident demeanor was unraveling, and it showed during one of the trials.
On the day of a particularly crucial court hearing, Yanna, still in her wheelchair, was waiting for Fox in the parking lot outside the courthouse. She had just finished her physical therapy for the day and, despite everything, was doing her best to stay strong, both for herself and for Fox.
As Yanna waited quietly, she heard the sound of hurried footsteps behind her. It was Rikka, her face twisted in rage and frustration. She had just emerged from the courthouse, and seeing Yanna sitting there, vulnerable in her wheelchair, sent her over the edge.
Rikka: "This is all your fault, Yanna!" she screamed, her voice high-pitched and frantic. "You think you can just sit there, playing the victim, ruining my life?!"
Yanna turned, startled by the sudden outburst. She didn't know what to say. Rikka stormed closer, her eyes wild with anger.
Rikka: "Look at you! Sitting there, pretending to be so innocent. Do you think your little wheelchair act makes you better than me? You're pathetic!"
Yanna felt a knot in her stomach. The harsh words cut deep, but she remained silent, her hands gripping the wheels of her chair. She knew she had to stay composed, no matter how much Rikka's words stung.
Rikka: "You deserve everything that happened to you! You ruined my life! Now you're trying to make me pay for something that wasn't even my fault!"
Her voice was rising, drawing the attention of a few passersby, who started to watch the scene unfold. But Yanna stayed calm, refusing to engage with Rikka's venomous outburst. She knew that Rikka was lashing out from fear and guilt.
Just then, Fox appeared from the courthouse, his face darkening when he saw what was happening.
Fox: "Rikka, that's enough!" he shouted, rushing toward them.
Rikka whipped around to face him, her anger shifting toward Fox now. "Oh, of course, you're here to play the hero! Protecting your little princess!" she sneered, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "You think siding with her is going to fix anything?"
Fox stood firm, his voice steady but cold. "This isn't about sides, Rikka. This is about what you did. You need to take responsibility for your actions."
Rikka let out a bitter laugh. "Responsibility? I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time! It wasn't my fault!" Her voice cracked, betraying the weight of the guilt she was trying so hard to suppress.
Fox stepped closer, his expression hardening. "You almost killed her, Rikka. Whether it was intentional or not, Yanna will live with the consequences for the rest of her life. And you need to live with yours."
Rikka's face crumpled, her anger giving way to desperation. She turned back to Yanna, her voice shaking now. "I didn't mean for this to happen... I didn't want this..."
Yanna looked up at Rikka, her heart heavy with a mix of emotions—anger, sadness, and pity. She had every right to lash back, to throw Rikka's cruelty right back at her. But instead, she remained calm, her voice soft but firm.
Yanna: "What's done is done, Rikka. But this is your chance to make things right. Hurting me won't change what happened."
Rikka stared at her, her eyes wide with disbelief, as if Yanna's calm response had knocked the wind out of her. She took a step back, shaking her head, unable to process the kindness in Yanna's words. Without another word, she turned and hurried away, disappearing into the courthouse.
YOU ARE READING
The FuBu
CasualeFox and Yanna had been inseparable since elementary school, their friendship weathering every storm from playground squabbles to teenage angst. By the time they reached college, their bond had only grown stronger, a seamless blend of trust, loyalty...
