Bad Dreams //mgc

69.

Day 2 of the trial

*Cara's POV*

Yesterday was so gruelling and emotional. After we got home I just slept the rest of the day. Now we're back in the courtroom and this is the part I feel so bad about. All of my friends have to go up and get questioned. Five of them weren't even there.

Jason is called up first to describe the events at the bar. That's the only part he had, so it was quick.

Alex was called up next and she described the bar and Trevor offering to take me home. Defense hit her on this, but she stood strong. She described the next day finding me naked, and the month to follow before I moved. She followed my wishes to avoid him and not confront him. We didn't know what happened at that point. She discussed how distant and shutoff I became and it hurt me to hear it from her side. I really shut her out.

Luke and then Ashton were called up about my memories. I no longer call them dreams. Yesterday proved that to me. The DA called them up in a specific order to strengthen each one as he went along. They were present for the first one but had no idea what was going on. Then the last one when I remembered everything.

Calum was next as he was in my parents house during the second one. But he was forced to admit he was sound asleep through it and only knew of it by Michael telling him.

Regan was on the stand for a while. The DA spent time solidifying our lifelong friendship before starting into the memories. I had described the first one to her, she was with me and got Michael for the second and was there for the last. She had to describe the formation of Michael and I's relationship and how it helped the memories. The defense attorney tried saying how Michael and I put distance between Regan and I, but that doesn't happen in friendships like ours. She made sure that was clear. He tried bringing in my past and she shut him down.

Then came Michael. I really hated that he had to go through this. I started playing with the picks again and he smiled at me, letting me know he was okay. I wish I was. He was asked to describe every detail of our relationship from day 1 to present. Of course the defense attorney questioned how quickly I trusted him, how quickly our relationship progressed, moving in together, and of course our sex life. They tried to make it sound as if I couldn't have been raped if I so readily slept with him. But Michael is awesome and relayed conversations about feeling safe with him and loving each other, as well as the many many times of freezing up and eventually building up to it. He used two important words to me repeatedly during his testimony: trust and safe. I trust Michael fully and completely, and I feel safe when I'm with him.

Then was the defense's turn to call witnesses. These were people I recognized from USC, but hardly knew. All of them were questioned not only on Trevor's character but on mine. I let the DA know I don't know these people because how can you discuss someone's character that you've rarely spoken to?

When defense was done the DA was allowed to call me up one last time. He made sure to ask about the people that defense used against me. I barely knew them and made sure that was clear. He asked about Michael, and how much I trust him and whether I feel safe with him. The DA knew exactly what he was doing.

Court was adjourned after a long day.

****
Day 3 of trial

Today is the closing statements. This was the DAs chance to summarize all the facts and put everything together in the way we needed the jury to hear. He spent two hours discussing what Trevor did and the emotional impact it had on me. I could summarize it much quicker: He raped me and got me fucked up in the head. But I don't think that would be as effective.

The defense's closing arguments were based around obscurities and ignored what he actually did. Drunkenness, memory loss, avoidance, the sexual nature of Michael and I. He tried to make me sound like a lying, attention-seeking slut, none of which describe me. I hope the jury sees that.

Now comes the worst part of all. The jury goes into deliberation. The court is in recess until the jury decides bit could be minutes or days. I immediately step outside for a smoke, or two, or five. I had nearly quit before the trial started but now I'm sitting outside chain smoking.

At 4:00pm, the judge sends everyone home with instructions to be on standby for the verdict.

"I don't like it taking this long. That means a lot of them are on Trevor's side." Michael and I are on the couch cuddling with the TV on. I have no idea what's even on. I think it's just there for background noise. "The thought that so many of them think he's not guilty makes me want to puke."

"Me too angel. But no matter what the verdict is, we know the truth. I am so proud of you for this. It took a lot of strength and courage to stand up for yourself."

We start dozing off on the couch when the phone rings. The DA's voice simply states

"The verdict is in."

****
The courtroom is silent as the jury files in. Michael's behind me and puts his hand on my shoulder furthest from the jury. The DA nods at him that it's ok. I am focusing on his touch when I'm snapped to.

"For the charge of rape, we the jury find the defendant, Trevor Jacobs, guilty."