The 378 (Camren)

Introduction Lauren Jauregui

'Lauren Michelle Jauregui, you are hereby sentenced to 15 months in federal prison.'
People around me are getting up. They're putting their jackets back on, relaxed expressions forming their face. They're leaving, going back to their normal lives; my case already forgotten.
Most people here have no idea who I am. They don't know where I'm from, who my family is, or what really happened on May 11th. I bet none of them even know how to pronounce my last name.
They're all here for their own entertainment. you see, It makes them feel better about themselves. They just love to walk out of the court room with no worries on their shoulders, mocking the ones that got sentenced.
'Jeez, thankfully Mary didn't turn out this way,' they say to each other as they step into their minivans to drive back to their perfect children who will never 'turn out this way'.
I tell myself to get up, though I remain seated. I glance sideways, hoping my attorney has a slick back-up plan to save my ass, but all I get is a pitiful frown.
I look down at my hands; my index finger is burning red. I have been squeezing it like I always do when I get nervous. I feel my mother's hands on my shoulders, I face her. She is trying to comfort me but i can see the disappointment and humiliation in her eyes. beside her My father is still sitting on the bench. He's looking down, his chubby cheeks covered in tears. No one knows what to say, so we all figure it's best if we say nothing. What is there to say anyway?

Two tough men are coming my way, looking directly into my eyes. I've never been this intimidated. I used to love intimidation, it felt similar to adrenalin; just another drug I couldn't get enough of.

But this is different. This is not fun, there is no rush. I'm going to fucking prison.
I look over to my attorney, assuming that he is going to tell me what these men are going to do with me. 'You need to go with them. Don't be stubborn, they don't fight fair.'
I get up. One of the men grabs my upper arm and yanks me out of the bench. 'No, they don't.' I mutter to myself.

I feel the cold metal clamping my wrist, slowing down my blood stream.
Don't be stubborn, don't fight it Lo, I tell myself.
I once again look at my father, who is still avoiding eye contact. His little girl fucked up again.

I try to voice my apologies but I feel two fists pushing my back directing me out of the court room and into my temporary cell.
'Be careful in there Lo!' my attorney shouts after me as I'm being escorted out of the court room.

How the fuck is that supposed to comfort me?