Tiny Dancer

Even When It Hurts

Chapter 15: Even When It Hurts

The courtroom air was thick and too still — like time itself had paused just to watch Ella unravel.

She sat on the witness stand, hands clasped tight in her lap, fingers twisting over one another as if she could strangle her anxiety into silence. The judge sat high above, bored and ancient. A stenographer clacked keys steadily, recording every word she wished she didn't have to say.

Across the room, Chris and Glen lounged beside their high-priced attorney, smug as ever. Glen even had the audacity to smirk at her, like this was still just a game.

"Miss Foreman," the defense attorney stood, his tie perfectly straight, his voice a smooth venom, "you stated in your earlier report that you were alone when the alleged assault began?"

Ella's voice was already shaking. "Yes. Connor had just gone to get Donna—"

"A male friend," he interrupted. "And you two were alone, without supervision, at a school event where alcohol had been consumed?"

She blinked. "I didn't drink—I mean, I did—but—"

"Ah," he raised his brows. "So you were drinking?"

"Just a sip—I wasn't—"

"Can you explain then how your blood alcohol level was above zero when tested at the hospital?"

"I—I was upset, and—"

"You were intoxicated."

"No, I—"

"Miss Foreman." The attorney's tone was suddenly sharper. "You expect this court to believe that two upstanding young men assaulted you outside a well-attended school event, with dozens of witnesses nearby, while you were intoxicated, and no one saw a thing?"

She stared at him, eyes wide. Her throat felt like it was closing.

"I—I froze. They cornered me."

He nodded, pretending to understand. "And yet, you didn't scream. You didn't run."

"I was scared—"

"Were you?" he tilted his head. "Or were you just embarrassed the next day, once rumors got out that you were seen flirting with multiple boys, including one of your attackers?"

Her entire body flushed hot with shame.

"That's not what happened," she whispered.

"I've spoken to several students who recall you being... let's say... friendly at school. Would it be so far-fetched to believe that regret, not trauma, led to these charges?"

"No!" Her voice cracked. "They—they cornered me. They put hands on me. I didn't ask for that."

"Is it true that you attended prom with one boy, left with another, and were later seen in a car with a third?"

The room tilted.

"No. That's not what happened," she repeated, glancing wildly at the gallery.

Her eyes locked on Kitty and Red.

Kitty was holding back tears, hands clasped so tightly around her clutch that her knuckles had gone white. Red's jaw was clenched, fire in his eyes. He looked like he might stand up at any second.

But he didn't, he couldn't.

She was still alone up here.

"I know what happened," Ella said, louder now, trying to steady her breathing. "I said no. I was clear. I asked them to let me go."