"I'm a judge," I whispered. "Everyday I sit there and listen to people lie to me and I have to read in between the line and figure out who I believe. And with a case like this... If I put him behind bars I break millions of little girls' hearts, including my daughters. But if I don't, I could potentially let a murderer walk free."
Harry listened to me rant in the garden during the recess. "And do you think this is any better for me? This is my best friend and people are telling me that he *killed* someone."
"I know... I know. But if I make the wrong choice, this all comes back to me. I could put away an innocent man or I could let go of a killer."
"You don't know him like I do-"
"But I know you. I've know you since we were little Harry! I know that you attach yourself to much and you're blind to everything else they could do."
"Judge Casey? Recess is over." I nodded and stood, already dreading being back in the courtroom.
•••
As I stood with the verdict in my hand, I eyed the crowd nervously. Four fifths of one direction sat in the front bench behind their other member, supporting him even of they had their doubts.
"In the case of the murder of sixteen year old Valerie Winston," I read loudly. "We find Louis Tomlinson..."
Did I make the right choice? What if it was an accident like he pleads? But there were witnesses who said he swerved the vehicle to hit her! She was just a little to close, and said something a little to mean...
"Guilty."
The fans cried, the boys dropped their heads. Louis stood motionless in his sharp suit. He stared me down with hard eyes. As scary as they seemed, they held a message.
I'm sorry.
And then and there, I knew putting the teen pop sensation behind bars was the right choice. He let his anger get the best of him. He did swerve the car to run over the girl. Louis Tomlinson killed Valerie Winston.
